i 



1852.] THE PHILADELP HIA FLORIST. 39 



^management of a grapery may serve as a reference to the uninitiated, J^J 



p and show the facility with which fruit is cultivated in the Midland <5j 



States. 



The vines were planted in April 1850, the majority were two 

 year old plants headed down to one eye; a single cane was produced 

 from each, which, although stopped twice during the season reached 

 the top of the rafters, 19 feet in length. In November they were 

 pruned down to lengths of 8 and 10 feet and laid horizontally along 

 the bottom of the front lights ; the house was kept open except in 

 severe weather. 



About the end of March 1851, the buds commenced to expand and 

 show symptoms of growth; they were allowed to remain in a hori- 

 zontal position until all the buds were equally started fiom the top to 

 bottom. On the 19th April they were all tied up to rafters, very 

 regularly broke and showing plenty of fruit ; had occasional syring- 

 ings with soft water on mild evenings. 



April ZQth, commenced tying the young shoots to trellis, all those 

 intended to bear fruit were stopped (that is, the ends pinched out) at 

 the second joint beyond the young bunch; picked off all the fruit 

 bunches from balance of shoots, but were not stopped at present. 



May \0th. All the laterals that were forced into growth on the 

 shoots stopped 29th April were taken out, except the leading one, 

 wmich was not disturbed. The whole of the non-bearing shoots 

 were cut back to within four joints of the main stem. 



May \±th. Up to this period they have been regularly aired dur- 

 ing the day, and closed at night, except on a few mild evenings, when 

 a small portion of air was allowed all night. All the top-sashes 

 were now lowered about 18 inches, and remained down day and 

 night during the rest of the season. 



19M. Tied up all that required it, and again stopped the bearing 

 shoots, taking them off at one joint above where they were stopped 

 on 29th April ; the non-bearing shoots were divested of all laterals 

 save the leading points. A humid atmosphere maintained by sprink- 

 ling the house with water twice a day, and the vines watered with a 

 syringe every evening. 



VAth. Growing luxuriantly. Black Hamburg, Royal Muscadine, 

 EspeFwIone, and Zinfindal vines in full flower. All in flower before 

 the end of the month. 



June 2nd. The leading shoot of the main stem has, so far, been 

 allowed to extend, it was now checked by breaking of the point, at 

 the same time cleared away all side shoots, except a few at point to 

 carry up the sap, stopped leading points of non-bearing shoots left 



Op 18th May ; berries swelling. 



(*£ 5th. Observed appearance of mildew. A few of the front sashes' 



