CULTURE OF THE VINE. 



31 



house similar to the one figured in Plates YIII. and IX. I 

 therefore can recommend it with confidence as being most useful 

 for manifold purposes, not only where other vineries are employed, 

 but also to the amateur and nurseryman. The centre part is ad- 

 mirably adapted for growing a stock of young vines for sale or 

 otherwise; and it can also be used as a propagating bed for 

 flowers or early vegetables, more particularly if a hot-water pipe 

 were carried through the centre of it. But the most valuable use 

 to which the house can be applied is the opportunity afforded of 

 growing Muscat grapes in conjunction with others in troughs, 

 and I am convinced that one trial would be sufficient to prove to 

 the grower the immense advantage gained by transplanting the 

 vines from the pots to mature their fruit. The trough system 

 might justly be said to possess all the requisites of a vine border, 

 viz., drained, heated, and covered with glass. With these ad- 

 vantages the grower is enabled to produce Muscats with as great 

 success as any other kind, and by commencing forcing them in 

 the beginning of December, ripe fruit of this much-esteemed 

 variety can be had by the first week in May. Another most 

 material point is gained by producing the Muscat in the 

 troughs. You are thus enabled to keep a constant supply of 

 fruit for the table without forcing the permanently planted vines, 

 which is an object of great importance, as it enables the gardener 

 to give them a longer season of rest ; and by so doing the vines 

 will become stronger and better every year, and consequently the 

 fruit will be of a superior quality, and can be well ripened in 

 time to succeed the early forced ones. In this way it is quite 

 possible to have ripe Muscat grapes throughout the year, a desi- 

 deratum which many have pronounced unattainable. 



Printed by Reeve and Nicliols, Heathcock-court, 414, Strand. 



