20 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[J.VXL'ARV, 
last eight years have never failed in producing a full crop. Both in this year and 
last the Muscats were particularly well coloured in September, although forcing 
w^as not commenced before the beginning of March. The Golden Hamburgh and 
Grosse Guillaume have likewise in this vinery produced some of the finest-coloured 
grapes I have ever seen of these varieties. Had young vines been planted in this 
house, when the border was first made, I have no doubt but that some first-rate 
show grapes could have been cut from them ; as it ps, fair-sized show branches 
have been obtained from them every year. 
Some doubts have been expressed by grape growers as to vineries with aerated 
borders keeping up the vigorous habit of the Vines for any length of time ; but 
if they fail to do so, this can only occur through mismanagement. The system 
must be a sound one, and especially commends itself to growers of grapes in 
situations which are low and damp, and where the subsoil is bad. For very 
early grape forcing, bottom heating must be beneficial, by keeping up a due reci¬ 
procity of temperature between the roots and branches. No doubt first-rate 
show grapes are grown on vine borders where no extra expense has been incurred 
in respect to drainage or heating, but this can only be done in exceptionally 
favourable situations. 
The great secret in growing first-rate show grapes, and of keeping up a reputa¬ 
tion for growing such, is to have always a house of young vines ready to take the 
place of others on the wane, which generally begins from the sixth to the eighth 
year after planting. The grandest branches for weight and size of berries are 
produced from young vines in the third or fourth year after planting, and which 
have never been allowed to bear any bunches till those particular years. Another 
way to obtain large bunches and berries, is to cut down a vigorous old or young 
vine, to allow it to make one rod only, and not to stop it till it reaches the top of 
the rafter. This rod must be pruned at the best and plumpest eye, and will 
produce an enormous bunch on the top, or two or three if wanted, for show. 
This was the plan that Speedily adopted to produced his 19|--lb. bunch of the 
Syrian grape. We see some particular grape-growers shine for a few years in 
showing good grapes, but unless they renew their borders and vines frequently, 
so as to keep up a succession, they soon sink into the general ruck of cultivators. 
—William Tillery, WelhecJc. 
THE TUBEKOSE. 
S his deliciously fragrant plant, although it has been for very many years 
cultivated in our gardens, is not so extensively grown as it deserves to 
f be ; indeed, I may say that it is not even so well known as it should be, 
and its culture is, perhaps, even less understood. Having had some little 
experience in the culture of this delightful flower, I propose to offer a few brief 
remarks respecting it. 
Tuberoses are imported annually, much after the fashion of Dutch bulbs. 
