255. The European Grapes (varieties of Vitis iHntfera) must be grown under glass in the Eastern States. For early crops the vines are started into growth in De- 

 cember. The bunches weigh from one to five pounds each, ordinarily, and sometimes more in certain varieties. Grapes require deep, rich, well-drained soil 



Growing the Luscious European Grape— By I: l. Powell 



New 

 York 



HOW ANY AMATEUR MAY GROW THE FAMOUS OLD-WORLD VARIETIES WITH THEIR CHARACTER- 

 ISTIC VINOUS FLAVOR, A FEAT WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE OUTDOORS EAST OF CALIFORNIA, EXCEPT IN 

 RARE CASES— A PLAN THAT IS ENTIRELY PRACTICAL IN A LITTLE GREENHOUSE COSTING SAY $500 

 [Editor's Note — The author, Mr. I. L. Powell, is head gardener to Mr. Samuel Thorne, Millbrook, N. Y.] 



r I A HERE is a mistaken notion that fruit 

 -*- growing under glass is necessarily a 

 very expensive indulgence. But if the house 

 is there it is just as easy to grow good fruit as 

 it is to produce good roses or carnations, and 

 to many people there will be a good deal 

 more satisfaction in luscious hothouse grapes 

 or peaches than in the flowers. Fruits do 

 not require a great heat unless excessive 

 forcing is contemplated, which is not likely. 



Good soil is of the first importance. Good, 

 or at least reasonably good, plants may be 

 grown from poor beginnings if good soil is 

 given them, but poor soil will invariably mean 

 poor plants and poor fruit. 



By a good soil I mean one that does not 

 reach any of the extremes of soil consistency. 

 Not sand, clay, muck or humus ; but a friable 

 loam containing a fair percentage of all these 

 elements. If your soil is not of such con- 

 sistency it must be made so. Heavy clay loam 



and humus, added to a light sandy soil, will 

 improve it, and vice versa. Soil from a pas- 

 ture or grass field is preferable, with the sod 

 included, if it is possible to obtain it. To this 

 add about one-quarter or one-fifth bulk of 

 animal manure, prepared at least six weeks 

 beforehand. Mix thoroughly by turning 

 together at least three times. About one- 

 half peck of good bone meal should be added 

 to each cubic yard of compost. 



With such a soil either peaches, nectarines, 

 strawberries, grapes or figs can be grown in 

 pots, tubs or boxes. For borders, if the trees 

 or vines are to be planted out, use less manure, 

 say about one-sixth to one-eighth, according 

 to quality. Cow manure is preferred. 



The next important thing is careful atten- 

 tion to watering. The soil in the box or pot 

 must be neither constantly saturated nor 

 allowed to get so dry that it is dusty. Other 

 points are : as free circulation of air at all times 

 172 



as is consistent with the required temperature ; 

 houses that are not shaded by any other 

 objects, and the plants themselves so placed 

 that they will receive the full benefit of the 

 sun's rays; a free use of the hose and nozzle, 

 with a good pressure of water (not less than 

 twenty-five pounds to the square inch) on the 

 under side of leaves to control the red spider; 

 a good heating system, and eternal vigilance 

 in all respects. This looks like a lot of 

 bother, but it is no more after all than good 

 gardening always calls for. 



One word of caution in reference to water- 

 ing and syringing, and that is that syringing 

 should be done only when the sun is shining 

 brightly, and generally as early in the morn- 

 ing as possible; watering must be carefully 

 done during periods of dull, cloudy weather 

 if the house contains plants in flower or 

 ripening fruits. 



The most commonly glass-grown fruit is 



