358 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
when grown in a temperature sufficiently high to ensure its being 
well ripened. For use from October until the April following, 
Alicante and Lady Downes are both excellent black varieties, bemg 
taking in appearance and of good quality. They both do exceedingly 
well in the same house as Gros Colman, but they may be ripened in 
a rather lower temperature, and, speaking in a general way, are the 
most useful in a small garden. Until quite recently, a really first-class 
white grape for late keeping has been much wanted, for the Muscat 
of Alexandria requires a very high temperature and the exercise of 
considerable skill to finish it, and the White Lady Downes, sent out 
seven or eight years since, is so indifferent in quality that it is not 
held in high estimation by cultivators. We have now, however, two 
splendid white grapes that may be had in capital condition through- 
out the winter. The first is Golden Queen, a fine variety with large 
handsome bunches, and berries rather above the medium size; the 
latter are oval, and of a clear amber, those near the top part of the 
bunch being tinged with red. The flesh is firm and crackling, and 
of the most delicious flavour. Mrs. Pearson is somewhat similar to 
the preceding, but the berries are rounder, and the flavour, which 
is of the most delicious character, is slightly different. Both sorts 
possess a strong, vigorous constitution, and set freely. They require 
much the same temperature as Gros Colman, and are the most 
valuable grapes introduced to cultivation for many years past. 
BRIGHT FLOWER-BEDS IN WINTER. 
BY J. CALVERT CLARKE. 
BHOSE who do not fill their flower-beds during winter 
with spring-flowering plants will find small hardy shrubs 
most valuable for hiding the bare soil, and giving a 
cheerful aspect to the place. This plan of furnishing 
the beds for winter entails but little labour and no very 
great expense after the first outlay is made. Provided proper care 
is exercised in removing the plants, and suitable quarters afforded 
them during the summer, with care they will last in good condition 
for many years; at the most, a few shillings annually will suffice to 
make good the losses. Iam quite sure those who have not seen a 
flower garden furnished as here advised, can have no idea how 
cheerful neat shrubs are capable of making a place look during the 
dull months of winter. 
Shrubs only may be used when desired, but the best effect is 
produced by freely edging the beds with early-flowering bulbs, such 
as the Winter Aconite, Snowdrops, Hepaticas, Crocuses, and early- 
flowering Tulips. Beds of rather small size should have only one 
kind of shrub in each, as the effect will be more telling than when 
several different kinds are employed. In large beds or borders it 
