January 16, 1874. ] 



JOURNAIi OF HOBTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 



48' 



LATE-KEEPING GRAPES. 



HEEE is no department of frnit-culture in 

 ■which there is a greater diversity of opinion 

 than as regards the merits of late-keeping 

 Grapes ; nor is this diversity confined to 

 the later inti-oduotions, hut it embraces all 

 kinds, with the exception, perhaps, of Lady 

 Downe's, which certainly hangs in good 

 condition longer than any other sort, and 

 invariably yields an abundant crop of fine 

 high-coloured fruit. Culture and manage- 

 ment must, of course, always exercise an influence upon 

 the Vine and its produce, and there can be no doubt 

 that some really valuable sorts have been hastily con- 

 demned from ignorance of their particular requirements. 

 It would, therefore, I think, be to the mutual advantage 

 of the raiser of a good Grape, and the public to whom he 

 offers it for sale, if any peculiarities either in the Grape 

 or its culture were clearly set forth in the first instance. 



In discussing this subject, and in a comparison of results, 

 a liberal margin should be allowed for the influences of 

 soU and situation, the vigour of the Vines, and the kind 

 of structure in which they are planted, it being quite 

 obvious that a weak point in either respect may lead to 

 total failure. Given a light airy vinery, with a suitable 

 apparatus for the production of artificial heat, a thorough 

 yet graduated ventilation, and a sound well-made 

 border, other things being equal, success in the fullest 

 measure usually crowns the efforts of skilful culture and 

 management. 



The Grapes which I am now sending to table are from 

 Vines that have had the benefit of most of these advan- 

 tages, and yet the measure of success is hardly so full as 

 could be wished, owing to the imperfect development of 

 one or two new kinds. The Vines are planted in a 

 narrow interior border of about a yard wide, the roots 

 spreading thence under wide arches in the front wall 

 into an extensive outer border. I have described the 

 formation of this border in a former paper, and to show 

 that the Vines are in a flourishing condition I may state 

 that stout canes of about 2.5 feet long were produced 

 almost without exception in the first or planting season ; 

 and this is not advanced as an extraordinary instance of 

 vigour, but rather as an example of what growth may 

 reasonably be expected from any healthy young Vine. 

 A few details of culture, although marked by no novelty 

 of treatment, may yet prove useful to beginners. 



Tejipee.\ture. — The aim has been to keep up a steady 

 equable temperature, 50" being the starting maximum, 

 increasing slowly and gradually with the growth, so that 

 when the bunches were in flower a night temperature of 

 fully 7ii' was maintained. After the fruit was " set" this 

 was reduced to about 70°, which was the standing tem- 

 perature till the entu'e crop was ripe ; since then artificial 

 heat has only been requu'ed to disperse damp, or, rather, 

 to maintain sufficient warmth in the pipes during damp 

 weather to keep a dry atmosphere in the interior of the 

 vinery. 



Ko, 603.— Vol. XSVI., New Seeues. 



As these Grapes were brought to maturity during the 

 hot weather of the summer and early autumn mouths, 

 solar heat exercised an important and most beneficial 

 influence upon them, it being a standing rule that on all 

 bright days every vinery containing an unripened crop 

 of fruit shall be closed in the afternoon when the ther- 

 mometer is at 90° ; and when the sun is shining full and 

 strong this high temperature often increases by 5" or 10° 

 after the ventilators are closed. Under such favourable 

 circumstances the heating apparatus becomes rather a 

 valuable auxiliary than the principal source of heat, and 

 its aid is not required till late in the evening. 



Ventilation.' — Air in proportion to the condition of 

 the weather was always admitted through the ventilators 

 at the highest part of the roof as early as possible in the 

 morning, except during the prevalence of cold cutting 

 winds, and during the colouring of the fruit some of the 

 external air was admitted night and day. After the crop 

 was ripe, both front and back ventilators were opened 

 fully and constantly till the damp dull weather set in, 

 when it was reduced to an opening along the top of 

 barely half an inch, just enough, in fact, to keep up 

 circulation. 



Watering. — Water played an important part through- 

 out the season of growth, the syringe being kept in fre- 

 quent play till the flowers began to expand ; the evapo- 

 rating trays were kept well filled, water was constantly 

 thrown about the floor, and tons of it and weak liquid 

 manure were poured upon the inner border, the maiit 

 drain sending out such a flow after each application as 

 would very likely startle anyone having a heavy soil or 

 badly-constructed border to deal with. Some caution is 

 certainly advisable in this latter operation, and I would 

 advise care and moderation to those having to contend 

 with the evils of a faulty border. This liberal use of 

 water was continued up to the time of flowering, and 

 again afterwards till the colouring was well advanced. 

 The syringe was not used after the Grapes were visible, 

 yet I faded to discover the slightest trace of red spider 

 throughout the season. When the bunches were in flower 

 they were examined twice daily, and the pollen applied 

 with a brush whenever it appeared necessary ; generally, 

 however, pollen was so abundant that a sharp rap upon the 

 trellis would cause the tiny capsules to fall by thousands. 

 The varieties gi-own were — 



Barharossa [Gros Guillaume] . — The bunches of this 

 kind were so numerous that more than half had to be 

 taken off. They were almost all of the large size that 

 is so characteristic of the fruit of thi,«; Vine. Some extra 

 fires were requu-ed to fully ripen them, but the fine, 

 rich, crackling, and very juicy fruit, and the noble ap- 

 pearance of the bunches when cut, afforded ample com- 

 pensation. This Grape should rank very high upon the 

 list of standard sorts. It is true enough that it requires a 

 high temperature to develope its full rich flavour, but iv 

 is equally true that it is eminently worthy of it ; for, as 

 Mr. Pearson states in his little work on the Vine, it is, 

 with proper treatment, " one of the very best black 

 Grapes grown." 



No. 1320-- Vol. LI., Old Seeles. 



