CULTURE OF HARDY FRUITS. 63 
half filled with watery syrup, and hung upon the trees, 
Coverings of netting are employed to protect against the 
ravages of small birds: and this is preferable to shooting 
them ; for among these feathered enemies it must be con- 
fessed with regret that not only the engaging Robin Red- 
breast but the melodious Blackbird fall to be numbered. 
CULTURE OF HARDY FRUITS. 
In proceeding to treat of the more special culture of the 
* inmates of a British or American fruit garden, we shall begin 
with the more tender; but for details regarding these, 
reference may, to a considerable extent, be made to the 
Forcing department, in which alone many of the finer fruits 
can be perfected, 
The Grape Vine ( Vitis vinifera) can scarcely be said 
to be a hardy fruit in the English climate. In every case 
it requires a good aspect; and north of York, a crop of des- 
sert grapes cannot be expected without the aid of a hot wall. 
In the extreme south-west districts of England, grapes fit 
for the manufacture of wine, perhaps equal in quality to 
those in the north of France, might be produced on dwarf 
standards; and there is abundant historical evidence 
that productive vineyards once existed in that part of the 
country. 
In the London Horticultural Society’s Catalogue, 182 
varieties of grapes are enumerated. Some of those, how- 
ever, have not as yet been well ascertained ; some are pro- 
nounced indifferent, and others worthless. We shall name 
only a few of those most deserving the attertion of the cul- 
tivator. 
