37° The Canadian Horticulturist 



AMATEUR GARDENING NEAR TORONTO. 



LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE. 



<^T|T is some years since I have troubled the regular subscribers of the 

 ^^^J|^ Horticulturist with what I call my experiences. I have been 

 ^^^^^^^ working away in a quiet manner, meeting with disappointments and 

 ^^^^^^^ ^^?P^"g some experience, but I find that it occupies valuable 

 ~^^M^^^^^^F^ ^"^"^^ ^°^ getting that experience, and some more to avail 

 ^^^^^S^^^^^^ oneself of it. I do not know whether it is fancy on my 

 ^^^^^^^^^^ part, but it does appear to me that the insect pests are upon 

 ^^Sj^^^^^Z. ^^^ increase, yet one always determines to give the shrub, 

 ^^H^H^^^T plant or the article attacked one more trial, and, if no 

 ^^^^^^"^^^"^ change, then to put the mental threat into execution. 

 Wg^^^ My chief amateur gardening consists in the growth of grapes, and 

 ^SS^i it is concerning these I desire to give my experience. During the 

 i"^^^^ V-f last four years I have found it difificult to ripen mine thoroughly? 

 ^*sS''<? though I have them in a good situation. 



The months of July and August (the real time for grapes) have invariably been 

 cool, and, although we may have had mild, warm days in September, yet the 

 shortness of the days and the heavy dews are a deterrent. I have about twenty- 

 four varieties. This year I have fruited for the first time the Early Victor, 

 Niagara, Empire State, and Bacchus. I find the Early Victor the first to ripen, 

 earlier even than the Jessica. It is not a first-class grape, and I should only 

 grow It for its earliness. Some of Rogers' blacks are far superior. The Empire 

 State is too late to be depended upon here. It is not, in my opinion, so good 

 as represented. 



From a report of this grape which I have, I quote, " Flavor sweet, rich and 

 sprightly, without foxiness and among the best." However, I think we have, 

 and have had, many grapes which are far superior in flavor and sprightliness. 

 Personally, I would not recommend it. 



The Bacchus is only good for wine, and with me the bunches are disap. 

 pointingly small. The Niagara has ripened, but I have not an exalted opinion 

 of its flavor \ it is a fine-looking, showy variety, but, when ripe, has a somewhat 

 mawkish flavor. Its appearance, however, is attractive. The Jessica is sure to 

 ripen, but is not such a favorite with me as formerly. I find the pulp somewhat 

 difficult to separate from the seed, and the grape lacks richness, and the color is 

 against it, yet I should always recommend it because it is early and of fair 

 medium quality. The bunch and berry are small, which are not in its favor with 

 the general public. The Delaware grows well with me, the bunches and berries are 

 large. To my taste it is one of the best cultivated, and I find it productive. 

 If I could only ripen the lona, I should grow more of that variety than any other, 



