Foreign JVotices. — France. 269 



Stopping Vines. — Vines may be stopped close to the fruit without 

 receivini;- an injury; indeed, it is the best system for pot culture: the 

 peduncles are strcnjithened, the berries j)roduccd are equal in flavor 

 to those grapes which are grown on vines stoj)ped one joint above 

 the fruit, and it seems to lessen the liability of portions of the bunch- 

 es to die before they ripen. (Gard. Chron., 1342, p. 178.) 



Art, II. Foreign Notices. 

 FRANCE. 



Cultivation of Roses. — All the tender kinds, such as Bengals, Teas, 

 Noisettes, and I^le de Bourbons, are ])ropagated by cuttings and 

 leaves perpetually, and hybrids between them are also raised in the 

 same manner, but not so expeditiously as by grafts. The bottom 

 heat, whether by tan or hot water, is kept as nearly as jjossible at 

 25° lleaumer, (88^ Fahrenheit:) the compost in general use is equal 

 parts of peat and white sand. Some use a kind of black sand, which 

 is found to answer very well : this is shaken down rather firmly in 

 the pot, and the leaves or cuttings |)Ianted just below the surface, 

 and sometimes even laid upon it. Particular regard is necessary to 

 this, because much of the after success depends upon the way in which 

 this is done, t"or experience has clearly proved that subjects thus 

 treated will root much sooner than those planted deeper: another ad- 

 vantage is, that they are not so liable to fog. They were then plung- 

 ed in the tan or bed, and bell-glasses tightly i)laced over them, so that 

 the full benefit of a close humid atmos{)here may be imparted. Eve- 

 ry third or fourth day they are slightly syringed: immediately the 

 roots a[)pear, they are potted in thumbs, one fourth leaf mould being 

 added to the former compost, and again plunged as before: in about 

 a fortnight they will be sufficiently advanced for removal to other 

 glasses, when air is freely given, and are thus hardened off for the 

 frames or the open ground. The cuttings are always taken frorti 

 young wood, but care is necessary to ascertain that it is sufficiently 

 ripe, otherwise loss is sure to follow. Leaves may be taken from 

 wood somewhat older, but the eye must not be injured, and a portion 

 of the rind, both above and below, attached to it: these form plants 

 quite as fine as cuttings, and within nearly the same time. Dur- 

 ing the first and second stages of this operation the houses are en- 

 tirely shaded from the sun, either by canvass or whitewashing the 

 glass inside: it is of the first consequence to attend to this, because 

 however necessary light may be as a stimulant, yet if allowed too much 

 power, it will assuredly prove highly prejudicial. Cleanliness is also 

 considered as necessary as light or heat: the bell-glasses are kept 

 constantly clean, by being wiped out every two or three days. If 

 the least im|)urity is allowed to generate, the plants soon l>econ)e 

 sickly. A pure atmosphere is quite as necessary for vegetable as 

 animal life: both may exist, but neither can thrive without it. Here- 

 in consists the superiority of the French propagators, and the means 



