GRAPE CULTURE. « 147 



herbaceous cuttings. In tliis margin of sand between the pots tne cuttings 

 were placed, there to remain until calloused and rooted, at which time each 

 cutting was taken out, with its block of sand attached, carefully potted in soil, 

 and repotted progressively, until it became an established plant. 



I am not an advocate for forcing seedling strawberry plants to obtain an 

 early development. By so doing we are not sure of obtaining a correct test of 

 their hardiness, much less of their quality ; yet by the above method of potting, 

 they mtfy be forced by taking the plant at the earliest stage of growth. But 

 bear in mind that this practice is attended with considerable risk to the plant, 

 as it is known that all potted strawberry plants are comparatively worthless 

 after they have once borne fruit. 



It may be observed that I have not followed the custom of manufacturing 

 compost according to jjrofessors, but rather trust to the principle of using a 

 greater per cent, of heavy soil in the composition, inasmuch as it holds the fer- 

 tilizing ingredient for a longer time, and the plants would suffer less in case of 

 a few hours' neglect in applying water. These very light composts become 

 exhausted by the plants much sooner; and not that alone, for the roots of the 

 plant increase so vigorously that they soon reach the sides of the pots, which 

 is just the thing that ought not to occur until the plant has nearly done 

 fruiting. Furthermore, strawberries forced in this way arc comparatively 

 tasteless. On the other hand, strawberries raised in strong soil are of high 

 flavor, both in open air and in-door culture. 



For watering strawberries in the various modes stated, it is important to use 

 potash-water once a week, the proportions of which are one pound of potash to 

 a barrel of water. 



Tke above is a condensed arrangement from notes made from time to time 

 during a number of years, of my own actual practice. 



GRAPE CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 



BY WILSON FLINT, SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. 



Grape culture in the United States is comparatively a new occupation of 

 our people, and, like all similar enterprises, must meet with the difficultiea 

 which attend the lack of experience in all industries where their prosecution is 

 made the necessary subject of experiment; hence a frequent interchange of 

 opinions and the publication of the results of individual practice will tend to a 

 more rapid diffusion of such knowledge in vine culture as shall insure success. 



INFLUENCE AND VALUE OF AN INTERCHANGE OF THE VIEWS OF VINTNERS. 



Where theories are given and their discussion invited, there may be great 

 latitude indulged in ; but when statements of fact are to be made the utmost 

 circumspection should be used lest error find its way to public credulity by 

 reason of a high authoritative indorsement. 



Whatever is embodied in the published reports of the Commissioner of Ag- 

 riculture not only obtains a wide circulation in our own country, but is received 

 to a certain extent as authority in foreign lands whei'ever distributed, because 

 emanating from this important department of a great agricultural nation; 



