GLEANINGS ON HORTICULTURE. 



ON THE 



TREATMENT OF VINES IN HOTHOUSES, 



Grizzly Frontignac Vines should be enclosed on all sides in 

 solid brickwork, keeping the roots always moist, but never wet. 

 A good brick drain, with a fall of six inches, to take away the 

 water immediately, is indispensable; and apertures should be 

 left towards the border, filled with broken bricks and whole 

 bones; or it should be drained every four feet apart with two- 

 inch pipes, in order that there may be no impediment to the 

 exit of the water. It is requisite to test these drains and pipes 

 every autumn ; by cutting a hole of some depth in the border, 

 and by leaving it open a few days, it will be ascertained if any 

 stoppage has taken place. The area in which the Grizzly 

 Frontignac Vines will flourish, should be three feet below the 

 level of the surface, the bottom being brickwork, well-jointed 

 with cement or mortar, prepared with river sand, or paved with 

 Yorkshire flag-stones. 



The side walls should be four inches and a half in thickness, 

 and built a brick higher than the surrounding soil. Divide the 

 area into as many portions, or breadths, as shall be equal to the 

 number of vines intended to be planted: say, four feet apart, and 

 six feet long ; by which means the roots of each vine are kept 

 separate. 



When planting young vines, a piece of cloth, or flannel soaked 

 in soapsuds, should be bound round the ball with packthread ; 

 the roots will quickly penetrate through it in all directions. 

 The proper situation is under the ccnti-e of a light; the main 

 stem and all the branches will then enjoy the full power of the 

 sun. The roots should be laid in six inches below the surface, 



