6 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ January, 
not bark the Vines, but rather take a little extra trouble to stop up every 
crevice of the bark. This will help, in a great degree, to destroy any insects 
which may be secreted under the bark. 
If the early vinery has pipes in it, for heating by the means of hot 
water, and sulphur and lime has been left on the pipes from last season, 
let these be removed by washing and scraping, or they will most likely rust 
the young tender berries soon after the Vines are out of bloom. I have 
known the scorching rays of the sun, together with the influence of the hot 
pipes and a dry atmosphere, to rust Grapes—so much so, that they have 
cracked before they have finished their colouring. The giving air to Vines 
in hard frosty weather is well known by all those who have to force early 
to be a critical matter, especially in windy weather. 
The Vineyard, Garston. J. Meredith. 
ROOT CULTURE. 
ERE the words “ Sacred to the Roots ” to be inscribed on every fruit- 
tree border throughout these islands, then fruit-growing would at one 
bound reach a higher level, whence general success might almost 
be commanded. Root culture is the weak feature of our practice. 
In fact it is not too much to say, that as a science it is all but 
ignored. The ideas of the best cultivators, are upon this head of the most 
elementary description. With many they reach no further than that roots 
belong to the earth, and that they must be covered over. Others go a step 
beyond this, and add that they must be kept near the surface, and be 
furnished with suitable food and drink. But scarcely any have yet reached 
the length of boldly contending that they must have a place entirely to 
themselves, though it is only by such isolation that they can receive the 
special culture which they need, and which their vital importance to the plant, 
and their direct influence on the quantity and quality of its produce demand. 
Many of our so-called improvements in root culture, simply add to the 
cruelty with which they are treated. Lifting them, for instance, nearer the 
surface, only brings them nearer to one destructive agent, and closer to 
the jaws of death. 
No; if fruit borders must be cropped with other things, and digged 
deep for these objects, then, in the name of common sense, let us encourage 
them to pierce down beyond the reach of our ruthless spades, so as to give 
them at least a chance of life. What is the use of enriching our borders 
with food for severed roots ? It only mocks their helplessness, or tempts 
them to move forward to swift destruction at the next digging ! Are fruit 
trees, then, so worthless, their health of so little consequence, their produce 
of so small value, that we cannot afford a bit of ground for their special 
use ? Can it be that the humblest herb or the commonest vegetable, is of 
