October 2, 1866. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOimCULTURK AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



201 



perenne ; the furrow iB broader on the flattened side, and the 

 convex side is rounder. Its small size and greater plumpness 

 readily distinguish it. Also it is excellent for sowing at the 

 time of seeding down parks or pleasure grounds, forming a 

 turf quicker than any other Grass, and affording a kind of pro- 

 tection for tho smaller kinds. By using it largely at the time 

 of seeding, a turf will he obtained in about half the time neces- 

 sary where the liner Grasses are alone employed, for without it 

 they would be nearly burnt up in the first year and be starved 

 in the winter. It also assists in making the surface firm in a very 

 short time. It is invaluable for lawns and parks. — G. Abbey. 

 (To bo continued.) 



VINEYARD UNDER GLASS. 



I am about to plant in the spring of next year a vineyard 

 under glass, about 80 feet long, and in three compartments — 

 one for early Grapes, one for late ones, both of these heated 

 with hot water, and one as a cool vinery. The building stands 

 north and south with its gable, and will have the sun all day 

 on some part. 



The Vines will be 3 feet 4 inches apart one way, and 2 feet 

 fi inches the other, a pathway of 3 feet running through the 

 middle. Two iron rods on each side will go to the roof per- 

 pendicularly, where the Vines are planted, so that there will be 

 a double row of Vines on either side. The roof will be clear, 

 as well as the sides, the Vines being trained up the perpen- 

 dicular rods. Would it be better to grow the Vines in the shape 

 of pillars or bushes up the rods, and so prune to two eyes every 

 year, or to grow them on the long-rod system — one fruiting 

 cane, and one growing one for next year's produce ? Also, when 

 the Vines are planted, should they be cut down to two eyes if 

 two shoots are required for the long-rod system, or shortened 

 if a bush or pillar is required, or left one season to grow before 

 cutting or pruning in any way ? — A Clerical Amateur. 



[We have ourselves no experience of the management of 

 such a vineyard under glass, and are a little doubtful if the 

 two rows of Viues on each side would be better than one row 

 planted — say, from 2 feet 9 inches to 3 feet apart. Our chief 

 observation of Vines growing in this mode was detailed in 

 a lato volume, as seen in practice in a vinery belonging to 

 John Hawkins, Esq., near Hitchin. There the Vines were 

 planted iu the middle of a span-roofed house, the old stems 

 had been twisted when young in corkscrew fashion, to cause 

 them to break regularly ■; part of the Vines were trained near 

 the ridge, and also towards the front of the house, but enough 

 of the roof was left clear to permit light to fall directly on the 

 pillar of Vine stems, and these being pruned on the spur- 

 system were supplied with shoots and good Grapes down to 

 the ground. 



According to your proposed plan there would be no shade 

 either from the roof or sides, and we have not a doubt as to the 

 system answering. If you have two rows, and only 30 inches 

 apart, the one will shade the other from the side light ; but 

 less if the Vines in one row are planted opposite the centre of 

 the opening in the other row. 



We would plant good Vines, and cut them down a little 

 above the ground before the buds began to move, and encourage 

 growth as much as possible the first year, so as to promote 

 reciprocal root-action. Next season we would cut down again 

 to 1 foot or 18 inches, and take a bunch or two, and let the 

 stems bear half their length the following season, taking them 

 to the top in one or two seasons more. We would prefer single 

 stems spur-pruned, and whenever the bottom showed weakness 

 we would then renew by bringing up a rod from the bottom, 

 and cutting away the old stem. You may let the rods bear the 

 second or third season almost throughout their length, but at 

 the risk of damaging the Vines for the future.] 



NOTES AND GLEANINGS, 



The Gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at South 

 Kensington, which have been opened to the public free on the 

 Wednesdays of the month of September, have been visited by 

 upwards of 21,283 persons on these days. Many of the visitors, 

 however, were not of the class whose enjoyment was contem- 

 plated by the Fellows in granting the boon, and we are given to 

 understand that the Gardens will not be thrown open again free 

 this year. It seems that the experience of Kew afforded no fair 

 criterion by which to judge of the results of similar measures at 



Kensington. The distance of the former gardens from London 

 opposes an obstacle to the visits of large numbers of mis- 

 chiovous boys which does not exist at Kensington, and it is 

 thought that tho enjoyment of the flower-lovers of the working 

 classes would be better secured by tho payment of a small fee 

 for admission, which would excludo those who go there to play 

 and do mischief, and require police and the full attention of 

 the servants of the Society to keep them in order. 



A Zonale Pelargonium may now be seen in the garden 



of the city of Paris, at Passy, which produces rose-coloured and 

 scarlet flowers in about equal proportions on the same plant. 

 The rose-coloured are like Christine, and tho others are of a . 

 brilliant scarlet ; tht re are some, too, which may be called inter- 

 mediate, being of a deep red. On several of the rose-coloured 

 trusses there is here and there a solitary scarlet flower. The 

 plant is a seedling of last year, and the young plants that are pro- 

 pagated from it maintain tho same remarkable characteristics. 



A St. Petersburg letter of September l!)th says — " A fact 



which may at first sight appear trivial is worth notice. Apples 

 have been publicly sold in the fruit-shops and at the stalls in 

 the streets since the 1st (13th) of this month only. This is un- 

 precedented in the annals of the city. From time immemorial 

 the blessing of the Apples takes place early in August, and 

 quantities of green and unripe fruit are forthwith exposed for 

 sale. This year, however, General Tripoff, director of police, 

 fearing what the consequences to the public health might be if 

 the practice were adhered to, issued peremptory orders, in 

 consequence of which the Apple was a forbidden fruit up to 

 the 13th of September." 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Thin growing crops before they become weakly and drawn 

 through standing too closely together. Stir the surface of the 

 soil deeply among them to admit air to the roots, and keep 

 down weeds. To those who have to do with very light land, 

 and have their Turnips and the Brassica tribe affected with 

 club-root or ambury, we would advise the introduction at this 

 season of Bome hot newly-slaked lime a few inches below the 

 surface, which, besides being a good manure for such lands, is 

 also an effectual cure for the club. Cabbages, plant out im- 

 mediately the main spring crop, and after planting take the 

 first opportunity of a dry day to fork between the plants ; 

 if this be occasionally done there will be no necessity for 

 earthing-up, as, if not too close together, they will grow short 

 and stocky. Celery, take advantage of the present compara- 

 tively dry state of the ground to earth it up. Ou heavy soils it 

 is sometimes necessary to surround the plants with sand or 

 sifted ashes to prevent their rotting off, which they are apt to 

 do if surrounded with soil that holds much water. Endive, 

 continue to tie up for blanching ; it may also be blanched with 

 slates or tiles laid on the plants, it saves time, but at this sea- 

 son tying is to be preferred. Cauliflowers, prepare ground on 

 a south border or other favourable aspect for planting them 

 under hand-lights, a quantity may be pricked out in cold 

 frames to receive protection from severe frost in winter. 

 Lettuce, prepare ground for Brown Cos and Hardy Green, a 

 double row of which may be planted at the foot of a south, east, 

 or west wall. The plants may be planted 4 inches apart in 

 the row, and should they all stand over the winter, which is 

 seldom the case, every alternate one can be removed to form 

 other plantations. Onions, transplant winter Onions on a 

 warm border, let them be put in rather thickly, to allow for 

 pulling out in the spring ; of course, a portion may be left in 

 the seed-bed if required. The drying of Onions, Shallots, and 

 Garlic, should be finished. As the weather is unfavourable 

 for drying the former out of doors, they will be benefited by re- 

 moving them to an airy shed where they can be turned over 

 daily till sufficiently dry for storing. Vegetables for pickling, 

 Onions, Gherkins, and Chilies, should be gathered for the pur- 

 pose as they come in. Tomatoes, thin out useless shoots from 

 these, and clear away some of the leaves shading the fruit, 

 which will require full exposure to ripen this late season. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



We must now begin to think of making preparations for filling 

 up vacancies on the walls with young trees ; and, perhaps, in 

 some cases, judicious transplanting may be considered advisable. 

 In either case the sites must be properly prepared with fresh 

 maiden soil. If the borders have been properly constructed with 

 regard to drainage and a porous bottom (and without this no 



