THE FLORIST AND FOMOLQGIST. 



pentaphylla, &.c. JD. crcnata is more rare, and succeeds best in the valleys of 

 little elevation and damp. It is also found in hedges intermixed with D. scabra. 

 JD. gracilis occurs only on the high mounts of the south of Japan. 



All the species rnay be recommended as useful plants for spring forcing ; 

 and our present subject especially so, from the contrast between its rosy-tinged 

 blossoms and the pure white ones of those of other species. * M. 



HINTS ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE GRAPE VINE. 



I must confess my hints on the cultivation of this favourite fruit ought 

 long ago to have been completed ; but owing to so much having been written 

 at the time about the Vine, I thought that my scribble might be deferred. 



Those who are anxious to have Grapes all the year round without wearing 

 out too soon the early and permanent vinery, I recommend them to adopt the 

 following plan : — Erect a span-roofed forcing-pit for Vines in pots, from which 

 the first crop of Grapes may be had ; also four vineries in addition to this, the 

 sizes of the different houses to be made according to the quantity of Grapes 

 required for the family. Say the span forcing-pit to be 50 feet by 16; the 

 early and permanent vinery may be," if a lean-to, 60 to 70 feet long ; if a span- 

 roofed vinery, 35 to 40 feet long by 26 feet wide. The latter shape I prefer 

 to all others. My own early vinery is 65 feet by 23 wide, the ends of which 

 are nearly east and west, and we have cut first-prize Grapes from the north 

 side of the house three years successively ; and upon the whole the north side 

 has been quite equal so far to the south side. The size given for the first house 

 will do for the second, and the same dimensions will do for the third and 

 fourth vinery. 



Assuming there are these many houses, and one forcing-pit, the dimensions 

 of which may be regulated according to the demand to be made upon the 

 gardener. There are many places in which are to be found six or eight 

 vineries, and a quantity of forcing-pits besides, all of which are necessary 

 according to the demand, and many of course who have not the quantity abso- 

 lutely necessary for the supply of their family. 



I particularly at this point press upon all gardeners who have not got the 

 necessary convenience for giving a succession of Grapes all the year round, to 

 urge their employers to supply the proper structures for that purpose. There 

 are very few families who would not like such a luxury. 



The forcing-pit should be heated with eight rows of four-inch pipes, four 

 rows for top and bottom heat, and arranged so that either may be worked at 

 pleasure : this will enable the gardener to keep the roots a little in advance of 

 the top. 



The early vinery may be either a lean-to or span-roofed. I advise that the 

 rafters be fixed 4 feet 6 inches from centre to centre of rafter : this will enable 

 the gardener to plant the Vines every 2 feet 6 inches. I think it much better 

 to take 30 lbs. weight of fruit from two Vines than from one occupying two 

 rafters. The varieties for the early house should be principally Black Ham- 1 

 burghs, and five or six varieties of White kinds may be introduced, such 

 as Buckland Sweetwater, White Frontignan, Chaptal, and a Muscat or two 

 may be planted at the warmest end of the house. A span-roofed vinery 

 (early), should have ten rows of four-inch pipes in it, and at least half of these 

 pipes should have the broad evaporating-troughs cast upon them, as sustain- 

 ing moisture whilst the fruit is swelling is a very important matter. 



The second vinery I would transplant principally with the best varieties of 



