312 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



CHAPTER LVII. 

 THE CULTURE OF GRAPE VINES UNDER GLASS. 



In the previous editions of this work I have included 

 a chapter on Hothouse Grape Culture, and though it is 

 outside of the legitimate scope of the book, yet I have 

 found that not only are quite a number of florists them- 

 selves, (particularly in the vicinity of the large summer 

 resorts), find it profitable to combine the growing of 

 Grapes with their flower business, and in addition, in 

 many sections of the country the patrons of the florists 

 often desire to add a Grapery to their establishment, and 

 look to the florist for information on this subject, which 

 he does not often possess. 



It is many years since I have had personal experience 

 in the growing of grapes under glass, and this was so 

 limited that I feel incompetent to do justice to the subject, 

 even in the short treatise that my restricted space here 

 will permit. For this reason I have called in the assist- 

 ance of my life-long friend, Mr. Hugh Wilson, of Salem, 

 Mass., whose knowledge of the subject is, perhaps, equal 

 to that of any one in this country. 



THE LOCATION OF THE VINERY. 



As with all glass structures, the vinery should, when- 

 ever practicable, be in a situation sheltered from the 

 north and west, and if the ground is gently sloping to- 

 wards the south-east so much the better. 



THE BORDER 



or soil in which the vines are to be planted, is an all im- 

 portant matter. It is rarely that the natural soil is of 

 such a character as would serve the purpose, and hence, 

 in nearly every case, it is nesessary to prepare the ma^ 



