Notes and Gleanings. 3^1 



It is advantageous to manure the bed, but all manure used should be well rot- 

 ted. A liberal supply, dug into the bed when first made, will keep it in good 

 condition for years. 



It is not generally advisable to apply manure to the surface if the garden has 

 been properly made, though it is often beneficial, if used as a top-dressing in the 

 autumn ; the finer portions will then be incorporated with the soil, and the coarser 

 may be raked off in the spring. 



Bulb beds are benefited by a covering of two or three inches of fresh horse 

 manure and litter, as it comes from the stable, put on just before the ground 

 freezes up, and raked off early in April, or earlier, if the bulbs start into growth. 



In the preparation of a bed for bulbs, an addition of one fifth common building 

 sand may be made with advantage. 



The general error in bulb culture is, that the soil is made too close, causing 

 the bulbs to rot, or be thrown out of the ground by the frost. 



Very few garden plants require a peat soil, and none need the elaborate com- 

 binations prescribed for pot plants. 



A garden bed, once well made, will last many years in good condition, and will 

 require no other attention than forking over with a digging-fork (a spade should 

 never be used) in spring, occasional weeding, and sometimes slight stirring of the 

 surface soil in summer. 



With such attention, all the plants we have mentioned will do well. The par- 

 ticular culture required for each — be it perennial, biennial, or annual, if such 

 there be — will be found prescribed for each in our pages ; but the best culture 

 usually is, once well planted to let the plant alone." 



Grafting Grape Vines. — We find in the Scientific Press, of San Francisco, a 

 description of a method of grafting grape vines, practised with success by Mr. 

 George G. Briggs, of Oakland. A groove is cut in the side of the stock, with an 

 implement made for the purpose. This tool is hook-shaped with a cross handle, 

 and can be used in one or both hands. In using it the man stands over the stock, 

 and cuts a groove into the side of the stock from the bottom up, drawing the hook 

 towards him so as to make the groove a little the widest at the top. The scion 

 is then cut to fit the groove and pressed in, melted wax is applied, and the 

 earth drawn round the gi'aft, and firmly pressed. Five men will graft about one 

 thousand a day. The scions are cut in the fall or early winter, as usual, and kept 

 in a cool, damp place ; the grafting is performed when the vine has fairly com- 

 menced to leave out in the spring. 



The same correspondent, speaking of the best varieties for California, says, — 

 " Immediately along the coast, where the cool and damp sea breezes prevail, the 

 White Malvoise is an excellent variety, as it is early, and less subject to mildew 

 than most other sorts. The White Muscat of Alexandria is probably the best 

 raisin grape known, and it is also of superior excellence as a table grape. The 

 Black Hamburg and Black Prince are superior black table grapes. The latter 

 stands transportation well. Among the rose-colored varieties, the Flame Colored 

 Tokay stands ahead as a market grape. For high mountain districts, the Con- 

 cord, Isabella, lona, Diana, Delaware, etc., are worthy of trial." 



