ON VINERIES. 



attributable to bad drainage, and occasionally it arose 

 from a flat crock being placed over the hole or holes at 

 the bottom of the vine-pot. In such cases, if the vine 

 should be in the hands of an unskilful gardener, who 

 waters carelessly, and does not take the trouble to examine 

 the soil in the pots, or test the drainage, before giving 

 the plant water, decay very soon appears. Little does he 

 think of the mischief his want of proper care and atten- 

 tion is causing. Stagnation at the roots, which is mostly 

 brought about through excessive watering and bad drain- 

 age, will kill any plant. A tank or pond of stagnant 

 water does not suit the lily so well as a gentle stream 

 of water ; neither does too much water suit the vine. 



PACKING GRAPES FOR LONG JOURNEYS. 



There are several ways of packing grapes for travel- 

 ling. I recommend that very large bunches should be 

 packed in very dry, sweet wheat bran. Smaller bunches 

 may be packed in stiff cartridge paper, as close as^possible 

 without squeezing the berries. After tying each bunch 

 neatly, pack the bunch or bunches tight together in a box 

 with clean, dry, chopped wheat-straw, taking care to fill 

 up every crevice, which may be done with the fingers; and 

 before putting the lid on, the chopped straw should be 

 gently pressed down, so that if the box does happen to 



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