NOVEMBER. 



165 



spondent " S. T." in last month's issue, and to state that with us it has proved 

 a shy bearer, and many of the bunches being disposed to run off into claspers, 

 while in other cases the bunches have been long and loose, the berries swelling 

 well until the colouring process commences, when they have in every instance 

 shanked and dropped off, so much so that the bunches have frequently become 

 useless, or nearly so. Some of the berries in the bunches, however, may have 

 ripened. Where this has been the case, the berries were large and of a fine 

 amber tinge ; but then they, like the Stanwick Nectarine, require to be eaten 

 immediately they are ripe, and consequently cannot by any means be compared 

 with the Muscat or even the Royal Muscadine, either for flavour or keeping 

 properties. I have a Vine of the latter variety in the same house, which 

 annually produces splendid Grapes of a delicious flavour, which, I think, is 

 peculiar to itself. I have also grown and fruited the Golden Hamburgh in pots, 

 but with anything but success compared with other varieties where growing 

 under the same conditions. 



From these facts I am led to infer that instead of this Grape proving the 

 best White Grape in cultivation, it must be classed among the inferior 

 varieties, to be eventually superseded by such varieties as Buckland Sweet- 

 water, Muscadine, and other good old sorts. 



Whilst on the subject of Grapes, allow me to state we have in the same 

 house Trentham Black, producing splendid bunches of Grapes of a very rich, 

 vinous, full, juicy flavour, and always colouring well of an intense purplish- 

 black, profusely covered with bloom. This I have found in every way a very 

 desirable Grape, and one that would not disappoint if planted in any late and 

 mid-season vinery. 



Dorset. jj ^ 



WINTER CUCUMBER-GROWING. 

 There is probably nothing new in my system ; but as I, in common with 

 others, still see and hear of failures and complaints that they will not grow, 

 refuse to bear fruit, that they canker, and that the mysterious Cucumber 

 disease (which some say proceeds from the same cause as the Potato disease, 

 on which point I will say nothing more than in gardens where, previous to 

 the appearance of the murrain, Cucumbers grew without any care they will 

 scarce grow at all), has attacked the plants, they of course are at a standstill, 

 if not getting " beautifully less." It is evident the successful management of 

 this useful addition to the salad is not so well understood and acted upon 

 as it ought to be. 



I have seen a temperature of 80° by day and 70° night, top, and 85° bottom 

 heat kept up in November and. December, with steam enough for brewing at 

 the same season ; while another very clever authority on the same subject 

 gravely informs us he was extra successful with a day temperature of 65 Q , and 

 night ditto from 50* to 55°, and often found it early of a cold morning below 

 50° with no bottom heat at all. I should not expect to cut many fruit by the 

 first-mentioned plan, as the plants would be forced into a weak unfruitful 

 growth, and would certainly be only fit for the rubbish-heap by March. By 

 the second method I should not expect any fruit from December until March, 

 for the plants would be only kept alive. If the plants had not been overcropped 

 previous to December they would possibly, with the increase of daylight, sun 

 heat, and an increase of artificial heat bear fruit again in March, earlier' and 

 more free than young plants would do, as the plants would be so hardy. 



A few causes of failure from personal experience may not be out of place. 

 One is growing a long summer variety, which at the best is only fit for the 



