78 THE GRAPE. 



bring a larger supply into market. However energetic 

 our most scientific fruit-growers may be, and in tliis they 

 are, to say the least of it, on a par with any other profes- 

 sion, yet it cannot be expected, that they will supply an 

 article which will not meet with some profit. To this they 

 are entitled by the standard of reward which is given to 

 other attendants upon refinement, and why should there 

 be a lack in this instance, for those who set a dish of lus- 

 cious, tempting grapes before their guests at so early a 

 period, not only show their own hospitality to the invited, 

 but also pay a compliment to scientific horticulture, give 

 a stimulus to the exertions of the skilful practitioner, and 

 encourage the development of that important contributor 

 to the country's wealth, Pomology. It has become fashion- 

 able to display a handsome arrangement of flowers on the 

 festive board at a time when every blade of vegetation 

 seems withered by the frigid blast ; no expense is here 

 spared, and why should it not be as much desired, to have 

 an equally rare representation of fruit ? Let Pomona and 

 Flora meet on equal terms at our entertainments, recognize 

 each alike, and we shall prove that we can appreciate all 

 parts of the garden which the all wise Designer of the 

 universe has committed to our care and keeping, and which 

 he has commanded us to improve. 



When very early forcing is desirable, it ought never to 

 be attempted with plants that have not been previously 

 subjected more or less to the same process. If the vines 

 are young, they may, in the first year of bearing, be for- 

 warded somewhat, and in the next year they will be in 

 a fit state to be worked early. With older plants the case 

 is somewhat different, particularly if they be spur-pruned, 

 for there is a greater tendency to burst the buds ; still, 

 even in this case, it were better if they had been forwarded 

 the season previous. It is often argued that the continual 



