GRAPE VINES. 



191 



Fig. 368. — Muscat of Alexandria. 



We grow several Muscat grapes, such as the Muscat of Alex- 

 andria (fig. 368), Canon Hall Muscat, Bowood Muscat, Tottenham 

 Park Muscat. The two first are the most 

 to be commended, but they demand a 

 house for themselves, with greater heat and 

 separate treatment. The Canon Hall Mus- 

 cat yields very large berries, but has a bad 

 trick of not setting its fruit well. I have 

 tried to set it by rubbing the pollen of 

 Black Hamburgh grapes over the flowers, 

 but it is difficult to tell whether the process 

 was really beneficial. 



'The list of grapes which has been de- 

 tailed is perhaps the best selection which 

 can be made for cultivation in a private 

 garden. 



We always get abundance from July till the end of February, 

 and our treatment is sufficiently simple. 



When the vines break in spring, the attention of the gardener 

 is required. It is necessary then to attend to the hygrometric condi- 

 tion of the air by supplying large quantities of aqueous vapours ; this 

 is done by iron tanks which are placed upon the hot-water pipes, 

 . and rapidly evaporate. Some gardeners syringe their houses, but 

 I think that a mistake, as the proper amount of moisture can be 

 obtained without syringing. If syringing is practised at all, the wall 

 and paths of the house may be syringed, but not the plants. 



At this stage of growth a draught is as fatal as it would be to a 

 new-born child, or to an elderly person, but, nevertheless, vines 

 should have abundance of air. This is best secured by the back 

 ventilators, so that there may be an interchange of air without a 

 current. It is a good plan to give a little artificial warmth every 

 night rom the time the vines start till the grapes are gathered. Of 

 course when cold weather sets in, a due amount of warmth must 

 be maintained by night and by day, but, as I do not force, I am 



