CULTURE OF THE VINE. 5 



the border, it may be as well, before proceeding with the 

 planting, to offer a few general remarks on the different kinds 

 of grapes most worthy of cultivation. 



Amongst the best varieties grown there is, perhaps, none that 

 excels the Black Hamburgh for general hot-house purposes, 

 the quality and flavour of which is so universally known and 

 approved that it would be superfluous to say much on the 

 subject. There are also many other kinds well worth culti- 

 vation; amongst them the Frontignac, West's St. Peter's, Black 

 Prince, and Sweet Water ; all of which thrive equally well 

 under one and the same treatment, which is not the case with 

 the Muscats. I will, therefore, refer to these latter hereafter, 

 and proceed at once with the above named sorts, which are 

 procurable at any nursery, ready for planting, at a moderate 

 expense. And here I would recommend that the selection be 

 always made from those grown from eyes instead of layers, as 

 the former, in their growth, are found to be more close-jointed, 

 and also to produce finer fruit than the latter. In the course 

 of the subject, I hope to be able clearly to demonstrate the 

 advantages derivable from the double walls. 



In planting the vines (the best period for which is in the 

 autumn) , I would recommend their being placed two feet apart, 

 or as nearly so as may be practicable ; but the distance must, in 

 some degree, be regulated by the underground arches, for the 

 following reason that the stems of the vines are intended to 

 be introduced through them, and to be carried up between the 

 two walls, thus affording them that protection from the effects 

 of frost, which is so desirable during the progress of forcing ; 

 and if each vine, when planted, is sufficiently long to reach the 

 top of the front sash, so much the better. In training them, 

 let the first be brought immediately under the rafter, and the 

 next under the centre of the light ; and so on throughout. It 

 is quite necessary that the wires, under the roof, to which they 

 are to be tied in the course of their growth, should be at least 

 sixteen inches from the glass. I know they are commonly 



