THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 357 
It is well known to the owners of gardens of sufficient size to 
accommodate a fair quantity of fruit bushes and trees, and a good- 
sized strawberry bed, that from the end of June until the end of 
September, there is such an abundance of out-door fruits, that grapes 
are hardly wanted. There are, for example, strawberries, cherries, 
apricots, gooseberries, currants, plums, nectarines, peaches, and early 
pears and apples, and some of these, by planting varieties suitable 
for yielding a successional supply, may be had upon the table for 
quite three months. The markets afford a fair indication of the 
value of grapes throughout August and September, the two months 
in which so many cultivators make every effort to bring their crops 
to maturity, for really excellent samples of Black Hamburgh and 
other ordinary kinds may be purchased at prices ranging from one to 
two shillings per pound. But no sooner are we at the end of Sep- 
tember than the last of the plums, peaches, and nectarines are dis- 
posed of, and grapes increase in value at a very rapid rate. From 
the middle of October onwards, the only fruits available for dessert, 
excepting those of foreign importation, are pears, apples, and grapes, 
and in consequence it is no uncommon occurrence for really good 
samples of the latter to be worth in the market from seven to ten 
shillings per pound at Christmas. From these foregoing remarks it 
will be gathered that by growing late sorts, grapes may be had upon 
the table not only when they will be most appreciated, but when they 
command such a high price, that to purchase them for ordinary con- 
sumption is entirely out of the question. ; 
In referring to the production of grapes for winter consumption, 
it is necessary to state distinctly that the assistance of artificial heat 
is essential at certain stages. It was at one time supposed that vines 
for yielding late supplies should be kept in a dormant state as long 
as possible in the spring, and that they should be brought along 
slowly during the summer, but since more attention has been paid 
to the matter it has been found that the vines must be allowed to 
start early, and also have the assistance of fire-heat during the 
periods of cold weather which invariably occur during the summer 
season. 
The crop must be thoroughly ripened by the middle of Sep- 
tember, for unless the grapes are perfectly matured they will not 
keep for any length of time, and owing to the great decline in solar 
warmth after the period last mentioned, it is not practicable to well 
finish samples that are then in an immature condition. 
It would occupy too much space to enter into particulars bearing 
on the management of the vines, and on this occasion it will suffice 
to say that the temperature ought not to fall much below 70°, from 
the time the new shoots are two or three inches in length until the 
ripening of the crop is completed, and that there will be but few 
nights in which a moderate degree of fire-heat will not be found 
necessary. With sun-heat and free ventilation, a temperature of 
80°, or even 85°, will not be too much for the vines. 
One of the most handsome of the grapes for sending to table from 
October to Christmas, is Gros Colman, which has frequently been 
described as of indifferent quality. It is, however, most excellent 
December. 
