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THE ELOKIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



protection of glass to bring them to perfection. A glance at the selection 

 made for all purposes by our very trusty Privy Council, the Floral Committee 

 of the Royal Horticultural Society, and so ably reported on by their Secretary 

 Mr. Moore, will enable any amateur to make a safe choice for pot culture. 



There can be no doubt, that if prizes were offered for Scarlet Geraniums 

 (the name will come out), in their several classes, a most interesting feature 

 in the autumnal exhibitions will be developed. The usual dearth of flowers in 

 a conservatory in the autumn is universally regretted ; but we are sure this 

 defect is not without remedy. Those who would take the pains and trouble to 

 tend us with careful and kind cultivation, would be amply remunerated. The 

 varied and delicate tints now to be found amongst us are most exquisite, though 

 we say it ; but they cannot be appreciated or perfected unless proper treatment 

 is given to us. May we not, then, hope to see awards offered this season for 

 the various branches of our family, the plants to be grown in the same sized 

 pots as those allotted for the show Pelargoniums, and our limbs to be as care- 

 fully trained? Many a despised though beautiful flower, depend upon it, 

 which cannot endure out-door culture, would thus be found to commend itself 

 to public notice ; competition would be excited among those who devote 

 themselves to raise up new and useful as well as ornamental members of our 

 race ; but, beyond all, justice would be done to a much injured party. Pray, 

 Mr. Editor, help us. S. G. 



SOMETHING ABOUT GRAPES. 



Gkapes early and late. The former has been ably advocated by Mr. 

 Thomson, of Dalkeith ; the latter by Mr. Tillery, of Welbeck — both great 

 authorities : consequently, I will not presume to follow their views on the 

 subject, but simply give my own. 



In the first place, I will take the first week in March for my early Grapes ; 

 and am thoroughly convinced that the same house of Vines may be forced for 

 a number of years with perfect success, when that attention is paid to the 

 roots which Science and Practice combined should dictate to the operator. 



I will endeavour to impress upon the minds of your readers the importance 

 of artificial warmth at the roots. My first step is ; after the Vinec are pruned, 

 and all the house, 1 &c, thoroughly clean, a week before closing the house the 

 outside border is covered with fermenting material about 18 inches thick. 

 This is done early in October. The heat of the soil 1 foot from the surface of 

 the border will range about 70° ; the fermenting material will range from 

 80° to 90°. To maintain this steady heat, labour, material, and attention are 

 all requisite. This course is pursued until the Grapes are ripe, all being kept 

 comfortable under wooden shutters at an elevation to run off the wet. Having 

 pursued this course for three successive years my reward is simply this : — 

 Fruit of considerable merit ; bunches averaging 1^- lb., with that beautiful 

 touch of finish so much admired, which for convenience I will call a bluish- 

 black. Although my Grapes are all I could wish, notwithstanding I have 

 often wished for more sunshine, yet I quite believe that in the months of June, 

 July, and August, very hot summers, generally produce inferior-coloured 

 Grapes. What we require is a happy medium between the present dull season 

 and a scorching sun. This vinery, let me be understood, has improved under 

 this treatment ; and I need scarcely say that several others in succession are 

 treated in the same manner. 



For early forcing, let me recommend artificial warmth at the roots to keep 

 them both healthy and happy. From this source alone much of the colour, 

 flavour, and bloom is obtained independently of sun and air, and must be 



