June 4, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
4G3 
be repotted into larger pots in a mixture of good turfy loam and peat, 
adding a small portion of well-decayed manure, after which they are 
placed in the open garden fully exposed to sun and air during the 
summer months. In autumn they are to be removed to a cool airy 
greenhouse near the glass, where the flowers soon begin to expand, and 
last a considerable length of time in perfection. 
NOTES ON GRAPE CULTURE. 
The present is a busy time with the Grape culture, as Vines require 
almost daily attention in addition to the ordinary routine of watering and 
Vine in every possible way do not supply cold water. Nothing is more 
likely to check the young roots than a deluge of cold water. Root and 
branch will revolt against this. Hot water should be added to the cold 
until the temperature reaches 75° or 80°, and water all through with it at 
this temperature. Outside borders which are often cold in spring are 
especially benefited by the lukewarm water. Where the Vines are weak 
and require a stimulant which will assist them throughout the whole 
season dissolve one handful of Thomson’s Vine manure in each four 
gallons of water, and let this find its way to the roots. 
Surface Dressings .—In the case of new borders or those thoroughly 
made only a few years ago any kind of surface dressing will as yet be un¬ 
necessary, but where the borders and Vines are old and there are many 
roots with little food for them a surface dressing is of the utmost advan- 
Fig. 114.— Paranephelius uniflorus. 
ventilating. The most important time of all is from when the shoots are 
a few inches in length until the bunches are formed and the berries 
thinned, and if their numerous requirements are properly attended to 
during the time specified success is almost sure to attend the Vines and the 
crop. 
Watering the Borders .—In properly drained borders few plants require 
more water at the roots than Vines, and I think they more often suffer 
through not getting enough than from having too much. When the 
borders are allowed to become dust dry in winter much water may be 
supplied to them in spring before the whole of the soil is wet, and there is 
reason to fear that in many instances the progress of the Vines in the early 
stages of their growth is much impeded through not having sufficient 
water at the roots. 
The surface of the border may look very moist and yet be dry beneath, 
but the whole should be th oroughly saturated before the leaves are visible, 
and the whole of the border be kept quite moist throughout all the early 
stages of the Vine’s develo pment. Mere surface waterings are to be avoided 
above everything, and as the only object in watering is to assist the 
(age. The best time to put it on is just when the buds show signs of 
breaking. Cow or horse manure, or a mixture of both, should form the 
chief part of that used. We generally surface-dress in this way. A good 
sprinkling of Thomson’s Vine manure is spread over the surface of the soil. 
The manure is placed over this to the depth of 4 inches, and then the 
whole is supplied with tepid water. Both outside and inside borders are 
treated in this way, and satisfactory results follow in a very short time. 
Temperatures .—No hard-and-fast rules for temperature can be given at 
this season. When it is a bright sunny day the temperature in both late and 
early houses may rise to 80°, 90°, or even more than this, and when the 
weather is dull and cold it may never rise above 65° or 70°. Early in the 
season when the houses have to be kept close a high temperature at the 
time growth is beginning will often cause the shoots to become spindly ;; 
but there is no danger of a high temperature doing this at present, as 
abundance of air can be admitted during the day, and this will keep them 
all right. From 65° to 70° is a suitable night temperature for all varieties, 
and it may be allowed to fall to the first named in the morning. 
Ventilating .—A matter of much importance, but easily attended to. 
