CULTUEE OF THE VINE. 



5 



Amougst the best varieties grown^ there is^, perhaps^ none that 

 excels the Bkck Hamburgh for general hot-house purposes^ the 

 quality and flavour of which is so universally known and approved 

 that it would be superfluous to say much on the subject. There 

 are also many other kinds well worth cultivation ; amongst them^ 

 the Erontignac^ ATest St. Peters^ Black Prince, and Sweet TVater; 

 all of which thrive equally well under one and the same treatment, 

 wliich is not the case with the ^Muscats. I will, therefore, refer 

 to these latter hereafter, and proceed at once with the above- 

 named sorts, which are procui'able at any nursery, ready for 

 planting, at a moderate expense. And here I would recommend 

 that the selection be always made from those grown from eyes 

 instead of layers, as the former, in their growth, are found to be 

 more close-jointed, and also to produce finer fruit than the latter. 

 In the course of the subject, I hope to be able clearly to demon- 

 strate the advantages derivable from the double walls. 



In planting the vines (the best period for which is in the 

 autumn), I would recommend theii' being placed two feet apart, 

 or as nearly so as may be practicable ; but the distance must, in 

 some degree, be regulated by the underground arches, for the fol- 

 lowing reason — that the stems of the vines are intended to be 

 introduced through them, and to be carried up between the two 

 walls, thus affording them that protection from the effects of frost, 

 which is so desirable during the progress of forcing ; and if each 

 vine, when planted, is sufficiently long to reach the top of the 

 fi-ont sash, so much the better. In training them, let the fii'st be 

 brought immediately under the rafter, and the next under the 

 centre of the Hght ; and so on throughout. It is quite necessary 

 that the wires, under the roof, to which, they are to be tied in the 

 course of their growth should be at least sixteen inches from the 

 glass. I know they are commonly placed much closer to it, but the 

 consequences arising from the practice are highly injurious to the 

 vines. It matters not what sort of glass may be used, for the same 

 objection exists to a closer proximity, as the leaves in their growth 

 soon come into immediate contact with it, and are cousecjueutlv 



