Layering Grapes. — Grape- Vines about Rocks. 89 



the Queen," and a roll of other " distinguished nobility " sufficient to form 

 a battalion, and, of course, must affect the newest style. 



I have never yet seen an American catalogue of any nursery-man or 

 florist that has been servile enough to imitate this change ; and I hope, for 

 the dignity of the trade, I never shall. Feter Henderson. 



South Bergen, N.J., May 23, 1868. 



[ Pelargoniums are known in gardens as geraniums, but are very different from them in their spurred 

 calyx, usually irregular corolla, and the nv.mber of perfect stamens, which varies from seven down to four. 



The geraniums are distinguished by having regular flowers, ten stamens with the filaments united at 

 the base, and five carpels, each tipped by a long glabrous awn (the persistent style), which becomes re- 

 curved when it separates from the central axis. — Eds.] 



LAYERING GRAPES. 



It is generally believed that vines raised by layers are not so good as 

 those raised from single eyes, or even cuttings. After many years' observa- 

 tion, we have entirely failed to discover any difference ; and we do not 

 hesitate to advise such of our readers as have a few vines that they wish 

 to multiply to increase their stock by this mode of propagation. The 

 work should be done soon, if old wood is laid down ; but, if the new wood 

 is to be used, the work of layering should not be performed until the new 

 wood has hardened somewhat. A great many things are very successfully 

 and profitably raised by layering ; and why should not the same rule hold 

 good with the grape ? Try it, and see. 



GRAPE-VINES ABOUT ROCKS. 



It is a well-established fact, that grapes ripen very much earlier at the 

 North when the vines are planted near or about rocks. Last year, while 

 grapes were nearly a failure in the open field, there were cases where a fine 

 crop of perfectly splendid bunches was raised from vines whose roots ran 

 about rocks. The rocks absorb the heat by day, and keep the roots of the 

 grapes warm day and night. Rocks in gardens or fields are usually re- 

 garded as nuisances ; but, if they are left, a good use can be made of them 

 by planting vines about them. 



