234 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
March 29, 18C4. 
cuttings, are being actively canied on in most gardens, and 
■whilst probationers usually emploj^ed under glass are well versed in 
these matters, others engaged outdoors should, if opportunities 
occur, also make themselves proficient in such operations. The 
same may be said of grafting fruit trees. This is now being done 
in many places ; but it does not follow that all garden assistants 
know how to graft a fruit tree, or that they are specially desirous of 
taking lessons in an accomplishment of this kind. It is most desirable, 
however, that the latter should be done ; indeed, it ought to be the 
aim of every probationer to make himself thoroughly proficient in 
all ftractical phases of gardening. Accomplish this and work 
perseveringl}', then study science diligently, and, provided other 
essentials are forthcoming, success will be ensured.—C. 
ABOUT VINES. 
At this season of the year, while we are busy with the growing 
Yines, our thoughts revert to the previous crop of Grapes. With 
some it may have been satisfactory, and while certain growers 
achieved greater success, there were doubtless a few who failed to 
reap anything like their expectations. 
Beginning now at the practical part. How much pleasure there 
is and will be in the vinery for the cultivator ! All will now show 
the handiwork of the grower—house clean, borders top-dressed, 
and Vines, unless it be the very late ones, extending their 
laterals. The earliest Black Hamburghs, even without hard 
forcing, are indeed showing well. I consider our method of Vine 
growing far more rational than of old. I do not deprecate the 
modes of private growers, having had a fair share of them myself, 
and therefore know full well their difficulties; yet I shall always 
say the market growers, with their rough and ready ways, have 
done more to popularise Grape growing. Who a quarter of a 
century ago would have ventured to speculate on Grape growing 
as now practised by the largest of market men ? Leaving out the 
question of the enormous number of Vines now being cultivated, 
look at the condition under which crops are produced annually. 
The borders, be they inside or out, are of a natural ready-made 
kind—made at the tithe of the expense of older days. I admit the 
market grower selects his site when he can, yet this is not always 
so, and private growers by being wise can in these days, when they 
have tbe chance of building, keep their border well above ground, 
and if the drainage is right they will not be far wrong. 
A more extended knowledge of the feeding power of the Vine, 
with the right mode and time of application, combined with the 
improved chemical or prepared Vine manures, have been of the 
greatest service to the grower. Aiming at economy, as all are 
supposed to do, we have much in our favour in these days—to wit, 
less border space, which, if in proper condition, will require the 
least possible cultivation, for beyond the very slight pointing 
before putting on the top-dressing, we have no work such as digging 
or wheeling in of cartloads of manure. We have also gained by 
knowing exactly the growing condition and requirements of the 
roots. Who is there now who gives half the water to the borders 
before Vine breaking as used to be given? Vine roots, though 
apparently dormant for at least two or three months in the winter, 
are really at work in conveying the sap to the stem and buds. To 
do this, providing the border soil is in a fair moist condition, no 
drenchinss of water will be required before there are leaves on the 
Vines. More is gained by attention to this than is supposed, the 
borders under the proper conditions being thus much warmer, this 
inducing earlier new root action. I am now basing my remarks on 
inside borders, the best for at least all early and midseason Grapes, 
and I also prefer them for the late crops. Neither do we now 
attempt to gorge the borders early with rich material, which is not 
a necessity then, preferring rather to wait until the crops are 
farther advanced. Knowing also the late action of the roots we 
cause a storing up of rich sap by autumn feeding, which will be of 
the greatest use before and in the spring. We now clear our 
Vines of fruit by the new year at least—a most excellent thing— 
relieving not only the Vine of its load, but also saving fire, and 
giving a certain rest for the Vines. 
In this article I cannot pretend to record all that can or has 
been done by growers with limited means. Much can be done, 
but the aim again should be to get the most in the quickest time, 
and with the least expense. Vines now being in leaf, see that 
nothing is lost by allowing superfluous growth. Last spring I 
referred to this matter, and can only repeat that after a lengthened 
observation, I still adhere to what I then said—a continuous 
one-leaf stopping, unless for special reasons a more extended 
growth is required Whatever may be said of the abuses of fire 
heat, I am fully persuaded that the free use of this is being more 
fully recognised than it used to be. Grapes in cold houses there 
always will be, I suppose ; yet I venture to assert that such fruit, 
good as it may be, can never be of the value of that produced 
with even a little continuous fire, not occasional, nor will the 
cold-grown crop ever be satisfactory for hanging after ripe. 
Thinning can never be done too early. To cut out large 
berries is only another form of waste. See that all is done before 
the berries stone. Heavy waterings and artificial manuring can 
then be done effectively, and again when final swelling takes place. 
Berries when standing still are having strength made for them, by 
the very active condition of the new roots. Ventilation is 
oft repeated, yet if not done properly the Vine or its crop will tell 
a tale. Cleanliness is a necessity; should there be the least 
sign of red spider sulphur the pipes at night and keep them hot 
for a few hours. I have, however, by thoroughly washing the 
foliage with water from the hose, of course before colouring begins, 
kept it well down. 
I am as particular in the autumn with regard to all minor 
details as in the spring, not only with the regulation of growths, as 
also ventilation and watering. Never have I found any benefit 
from a wild extension of growth, so even when early Grapes are 
cut I still keep the foliage well in hand. What I believe is gained 
bo a continuous close stopping of the Vine laterals, is the general 
free showing of not only buds which break well for the nex: 
season, but such breaks are very fruitful.— Stephen Castle, 
F.R.H.S. 
[The best flavoured Gros Colman and Alicante Grapes we have 
tasted this season were grown by our correspondent.] 
STOVE AND GREENHOUSE CLIMBERS. 
Whilst many of our stove and greenhouse climbers conform 
more or less readily to the twisting and bending necessary to 
confine them within the limits of a trellis for exhibition, freedom 
alone can develop those traits of character to which that form of 
training is inimical. Many of the strong and vigorous growers, 
requiring abundance of head room, are impatient of root restric¬ 
tion under pot culture, and delight in being planted out. They 
cannot always be planted in borders, as in some houses, in which 
climbers are most desirable, encaustic tiles or other ornamental 
flooring plays too prominent a part. In such instances boxes form 
a happy medium, for these, while allowing more freedom, do not 
place the roots beyond control. They can be made of any shape, 
size, or depth, as space allows ; and virgin cork will cover a multi¬ 
tude of faults in the way of home-made boxes. Where houses are 
permanently wired for climbers, a fault coo often noticeable is the 
insufficiency of space left between them and the roof, resulting in 
a mass of tangled growths crushed against the glass. In a less 
degree, effects are marred by the conscientious tying-in of every 
stray shoot, savouring too much of the exhibition trellis—a 
necessary evil in that department. 
With those climbers which by intuition throw out their octopus¬ 
like tentacles and grip the nearest object, a friendly hand is 
needed to guide their misdirected efforts, but others need little 
beyond some inconspicuous support. Among the latter class the 
Bougainvillea deservedly takes a high place. An occasional length 
of fine wire, stretched at right angles to the branches, allows the 
heavy laden panicles of bracts to droop gracefully and meet the 
eye pleasingly. On page 184 Mr. Garner records his experience of 
this plant under greenhouse treatment. I can endorse his remarks. 
So grown the results are far beyond anything obtained in the 
humid atmosphere of a shaded stove. It is sun that this plant 
needs, then heat is not inimical. The finest specimen I have seen 
was planted in strong bottom heat in a large span-roof stove. In 
about three or four years it extended to 30 feet, and was such an 
object of admiration in bloom that members of the family not 
only paid it daily visits, but came to see it by moonlight, by which 
the effect was distinct and striking. It was unshaded. The house 
was built for a Pine stove, though other things crept in. Amongst 
them were some fireflies from tbe Bahamas, being, as I understood, 
the only specimens ever introduced alive, and therefore may be 
mentioned. 
Allamanda Hendersoni or other of the rambling varieties, 
planted with the permanent rods secured to wires running length¬ 
ways of a house, the lateral annual growths allowed to hang 
loosely, is a glorious plant, requiring ample room, but no shading. 
Thus treated it flowers profusely for from six to seven months of 
the year ; from one plant I am able to cut basketfuls for table 
decoration when the messenger says, “ Send up plenty of Yalla- 
manda.” The quality and standing powers of these blooms are 
vastly superior to those miffy ones produced undei the moisture- 
saturated air of a shaded roof. 
