JUNE. 



77 



the leaves. The surest way of propagation is to cut the plants into pieces with 

 a root attached to each, and treat them exactly the same as the above. This 

 is done when the plants are potted ; some of the sorts will propagate much 

 freer than others. A. striatus will propagate nearly as freely as a Verbena by 

 cutting it under a joint without any root attached to it. I have propagated 

 some of the other sorts in the same way, but not with much success. If 

 necessary to increase any particular sort the plants may be cut up twice or 

 three times a-year : this I find is best done by cutting the stem of the plant 

 under the first or second joint halfway through, and cover the cut over with 

 the soil. It will root above the cut in a very short time ; if the plant is in 

 good health when rooted the top may then be taken off and potted, leaving the 

 bottom part of the plant, which will soon throw up another young shoot, and 

 may be taken off in the same way. I shall not intrude on your valuable 

 space with a list of the species, I can only add that they are all gems, and well 

 worth growing. I see Mr. Veitch, of the Ptoyal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, in 

 addition to a magnificent collection of the above, has got a new variety of 

 Ancectochilus imported from Japan, some of them are very pretty, and will 

 doubtless prove much hardier than the other sorts. I think they will be an 

 acquisition, as they may be grown in a much lower temperature. 



Highgrove, Reading. A. Ingkam. 



GRAPES ALL THE YEAR ROUND. 



Foe the last three years I have not been without a bunch of Grapes for 

 my employer's table any day in the year. This year we commenced cutting 

 new Grapes the 25th March. At the same time we had plenty of Lady 

 Downe's, West's St. Peter's, Barbarossa, and true Old Tokay of the previous 

 year. The latter I consider the best late White Grape. What some people 

 persist in calling Tokay is only the Muscat of Alexandria, or a form of that 

 variety. When I say late Grapes, I mean good plump fruit the last week in 

 March. Grapes in January are considered late by some persons. I think a 

 great deal of the Old Tokay when allowed plenty of time to ripen. It ought 

 to be highly recommended as a White companion to Lady Downe's, the best 

 late Black with me. Trebbiano is a most excellent winter Grape, but after 

 January it will shrivel. Raisin de Calabre is another fine late Grape. I 

 knew it well when at Chiswick, some eighteen years since. I was in hopes I had 

 it true here ; but, unfortunately, my Vines proved to be Sahibee, a worthless 

 kind. 



Which is the best early White Grape? Muscat Hative de Sautnur 

 promises well with me. We have it now (May 15th) almost fit for table 

 from Vines started January 1st. This Grape has the true Muscat of 

 Alexandria flavour, and the advantage of ripening so early. The next best 

 White I find to be Buckland Sweetwater. With me this season it is all I 

 could wish, which I hope to be able to prove next month at some of the 

 metropolitan exhibitions. 



For a supply of Grapes all the year round we have seven established 

 vineries. The early houses are lean-to 30 feet long by about 12 wide, large 

 enough, I consider, for early work. It may perhaps interest some of your 

 readers to know the different sorts in each house, and the time of starting to 

 secure a constant supply the whole year. 



No. 1. — The earliest house. All Frankenthal, or by most people called 

 Black Hamburgh. Generally breaks of its own accord towards October ; fruit 

 fit for cutting March 25th. 



