GRAPE VINES IN GREENHOUSES. z- /3 



ranging from 40 to 45 by artificial means, and that is ample for greenhouse plants. 

 The vines should start in April. From autumn to early summer the house may be 

 kept gay with flowers, commencing with chrysanthemums, these followed by bulbs of 

 various kinds, also primulas, cyclamens, cinerarias, camellias, azaleas, and several others, 

 to be removed when their beauty is over. In summer such plants as ferns, palms, and 

 coloured-leaved plants, including begonias, will succeed under the vines and render the 

 house agreeable. The vines go to rest in the autumn, and any grapes then hanging may 

 be cut, bottled, and placed in a dry room. Prune when the leaves fall, thoroughly 

 cleanse the house, and it will be ready for the winter and spring plants. This utilisation 

 of plant-houses for grape growing is very old. Vineries and other fruit-houses are 

 commonly used for such plants as can be grown without prejudice. Plant growing, 

 however, in such cases is made subordinate to the vines or other fruits. The chief draw- 

 back to the system consists in the greater liability to insect infestations ; therefore, strict 

 attention to cleanliness is imperative. 



When it is desired to use the house in winter for plants requiring an intermediate 

 or stove temperature, the front or side lights will need to be so arranged that the vine 

 rods can be taken outside in autumn, securing them to stakes along the border, and 

 protecting them with a little dry hay or soft straw in severe weather. The vines (planted 

 outside) are introduced to the house in spring, early or late, according to the time the 

 grapes are required, but it ought not to be deferred beyond the swelling of the buds. 

 This was a common practice when pineapple culture was a feature in most garden estab- 

 lishments, yet useful grapes were grown, and so they may be in conjunction with plants 

 under good management, which includes scrupulous attention to cleanliness. If insects 

 are permitted to infest either vines or plants, neither can flourish and give satisfaction. 



VINERIES. 



Three forms of houses are employed in the production of grapes 1, lean-to, i.e. 

 leaning against a wall ; 2, three-quarters span-roof a lean-to and half backed ; 3, span- 

 roof two lean-to's joined back to back without the wall. 



1. Lean-to Vinery. This is the oldest form, and, where a wall exists against which 

 to erect it, the most economical. The roof should face the south for receiving the most 

 sun, and the back wall will afford shelter from the north. In Fig. 83, -4, is shown a lean- 

 to house, with the roof at an angle (calculated from the base line) of about 25, which, 

 in a locality not subject to a heavy rainfall, and constructed in the best manner, is 



VOL. n. N N 



