252 GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



downward is certain to result in mildew. The floor of 

 the grapery should be kept dashed with water at all 

 times, unless in damp weather, from the time the buds 

 start in May until the fruit begins to ripen in September, 

 except during the period the vines are in flower, when it 

 should be dispensed with until the fruit is set. If the 

 weather is dry, copious watering is nece'ssary for the 

 border outside. The summer pruning consists simply in 

 pinching off the laterals, or side shoots which start from 

 where the leaf joins the stem, to one leaf. Every winter 

 four inches of the best well-rotted stable manure is spread 

 over the border, and over that six inches of leaves or 

 litter. This is raked off in spring, and the manure 

 forked in, the object being to feed the roots from the top 

 of the border. This same treatment we give our hardy 

 grapes with excellent results. 



I am a good deal of a utilitarian, and am very apt to 

 make even my luxuries "pay" when it is practicable to 

 do so ; and though I would hardly think of selling my 

 grapes that have been grown for private use, yet I do not 

 scruple to make the glass that shelters them do double 

 duty by using it in winter to shelter our half-hardy Roses 

 from November to May. Those that do not make rose- 

 growing a business, as I do, can nevertheless profit by my 

 example, and use the cold grapery for many purposes 

 during the winter months when it is not needed for the 

 grape- vines. Besides Roses, all plants of a half-hardy char- 

 acter may be kept there, such as Pomegranates, Oranges, 

 Figs, Crape Myrtles, Pampas Grass, Tritomas, Carnations, 

 etc., care being taken that the pots or tubs in which they 

 are planted are plunged in leaves, tan, or some such sub- 

 stance, so that the roots do not freeze. The cold grapery 

 makes an excellent poultry house in winter, only, if put 

 to that use, care must be taken that the buried vines are 

 secure against the scratching of the hens. In some sec- 

 tions grape-vines are often attacked, when thus buried, 



