THE COLD GRAPERY. 



149 



time the buds start in May, until the fruit begins to 

 ripen in September, except during the period the vines 

 are in flower, when it should be dispensed with until the 

 fruit is set. If the weather is dry, copious watering is 

 necessary for the border outside. The summer pruning 

 of the grapery consists simply in pinching off the laterals, 

 or side shoots which start from where the leaf joins 

 the stem, to one leaf. Every winter three inches of 

 the best well-rotted stable manure is spread over the 

 border, and over that six inches of leaves or lit- 

 ter ; this is raked off in spring, and the manure forked 

 in, the object being to feed the roots from the top of the 

 border. This same treatment we give our hardy grapes 

 with excellent results. 



I am a good deal of a utilitarian, and am very apt to 

 make even my luxuries "pay" when it is practicable to 

 do so ; and though we would hardly think of selling our 

 grapes that have been grown for private use, yet I do not 

 scruple to make the glass that shelters them do double 

 duty by using it in winter to shelter our half-hardy roses 

 from November to May. Those that do not make rose- 

 growing a business, as I do, can nevertheless profit by my 

 example, and use the cold grapery for many purposes 

 during the winter months when it is not needed for the 

 grape-vines. Besides roses, all plants of a half-hardy 

 character may be kept there, such as Pomegranates, 

 Crape Myrtles, Pampas Grass, Tritomas, Carnations, etc., 

 care being taken that the pots or tubs in which they are 

 planted are plunged in leaves, tan, or some such sub- 

 stance, so the roots do not freeze. The cold grapery 

 makes an excellent poultry-house in winter, only if put 

 to that use, care must be taken that the buried vines are 

 secure against the scratching of the hens. 



