1868 . ] 
AERIAL ROOTS UPON VINES. 
59 
being inches across, and very healthy. Those planted with manure under 
them did badly. I also tried the system of potting a few previous, with a 
view to getting them in bloom earlier, but found little or no benefit in that. 
These are generally considered to be only half-hardy plants, but the 
bulbs will bear a greater amount of frost when in the soil, than many 
parties imagine. I planted some in February last season, and have at this 
time above a hundred bulbs planted early in February. If severe frost 
comes on, I cover with litter. I am well aware that most growers recom¬ 
mend and use manure freely, but I record facts as I have found them. 
Those who have not got their full complement of bulbs, and do not make 
price any objection in their selection, may safely add to their stock from the 
following twelve improved varieties :—Dr. Lindley, Eurydice, Fulton, Lord 
Byron, Madame Furtado ( Souchet ), Mareclial Vaillant, Meyerbeer, Milton, 
Monsieur A. Brongniart, Shakespere, Sir "Win. Hooker, Sir Joseph Paxton. 
Win ton. J. Walker. 
AERIAL ROOTS UPON VINES. 
f N reference to the question of the influence which the general culture 
of the Vine has upon the production of stem roots, I would urge upon 
the consideration of those who are interested in the subject, that one 
cjjp of the principal causes of their production, is the great inequality 
which often exists between the temperature of the medium in which 
the roots proper—by which the plants are supposed to derive the chief 
part of the food which they require to build up the structure of the branches 
and fruit—are placed, and the temperature of the atmosphere to which their 
branches are exposed. All our experience tends to prove that the best 
specimens of Grape cultivation are produced at that season of the year 
when those temperatures most nearly approximate; and therefore I look 
upon that as a standing-point from which we may commence our investi¬ 
gations as to the conditions which influence that perfection, and the reasons 
why it not unfrequently happens that practice is successful under adverse 
circumstances, and also why, when those circumstances are less adverse, 
the expected success does not always follow. 
Many persons find no difficulty in bringing their Grapes in fine condition 
up to the stoning point, but somehow or other they do not finish off well. 
A host of minor difficulties spring up, such as those puzzling stem roots, 
weak elongated growth, long footstalks to the berries, loose bunches, and 
shanking, all of which evils are clearly traceable to a want of balance 
between the temperature of the border, and that of the interior of the 
vinery on the one hand, and to the condition of such borders and that of the 
interior atmosphere, on the other—for it is quite possible for the condition 
of either separately, or both united, to be either too wet or too dry, and, 
