244 GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



is well firmed in the soil ; and if sawdust or some other 

 non-conducting material is sifted over them (covering all 

 up but the buds), success will be greater, as this will pre- 

 vent the sun from baking and drying up the soil. The 

 cuttings may be made from the prunings at any time 

 during winter, and kept in a damp cellar or buried out- 

 side in sand until planted in the cutting-bed in the spring. 



VARIETIES OF THE GRAPE. 



It is the most unsatisfactory part of works on gar- 

 dening to name varieties. What are cultivated as the 

 best to-day may ten years hence be entirely discarded. 

 Moreover, what does well in one section may be less val- 

 uable in another ; but lists must be given, and all we 

 can do in the ma,tter is to name such as we believe to be 

 the best for general use at the date at which we write. 

 The varieties are named in the order that we deem most 

 desirable for private use. 



Concord is perhaps more universally cultivated than 

 any other. It grows most luxuriantly, bearing bunches 

 of large size abundantly. Color black, with a rich blue 

 bloom. The flavor is of average quality. Eipens during 

 the month of September. 



Moore's Early. Eesembles the Concord in general 

 appearance, but ripens two or three weeks earlier. Per- 

 haps the best early black grape for family use. 



Warden. Color black. Bunches and berries of medi- 

 um size. Very early, ripening the last of August. Of 

 excellent quality. A most desirable variety. 



Delaware. This is perhaps the richest in flavor of all 

 hardy grapes, and quite equal to most of the foreign 

 kinds. The bunches are small, however, though borne 

 in great abundance, so that the weight of fruit on a 

 given space is equal to most of the larger kinds. Color 

 red. Medium early. 



