84 
THE EL0R1ST AND POMOLOGIST. 
growing pit, it does not signify how much heat and humidity is commanded by 
the fermenting materials surrounding them—the more the better, as it is easy to 
control or regulate it by ventilation. The summer season, when there is abundance 
of light, of course is the best time to carry the extirpation quickly out. 
fiicton. James Barnes. 
VINES AND BORDERS. 
I hope your correspondents are not finished with Vine-border treatment. 
No one can doubt its importance, both as to expense and future results. 
Mr. Tillery’s practice, as recorded at page 60, is more the geothermal system than 
bottom heating, which of itself—without any connection with artificial heat beyond 
the air drain running a good distance in the ground, where it becomes warm— 
must be a good addition to every Vine-border. I was induced to notice this 
bottom heating more particularly from having seen it largely adopted in several 
places where efforts have been made to establish January Grape-houses on the 
plan of Dalkeith and Knowsley. Not any of these have been a success, which 
is easy to understand by considering that the drain upon the Vines, by such 
early work must weaken them very much, in fact, it appears a process of years 
to accomplish this, and keep the Vines strong and healthy. 
Now, it must be more in accordance with giving strength and arriving sooner 
at results, if these Vines were retarded, rather than severely forced to gain a 
season. I suppose if Grapes ripen by January or February, they will be called 
new Grapes by whatever process they are got. I have done this several seasons 
with pot Vines, and we found a pit planted on the same plan to come to the time 
it was planted. These Vines were ripened late, mostly January of the next year. 
When taken out of the pit from a pressure for room in the early months, the tops of 
the pots were then turned down against a north wall and slightly covered, the canes 
trained up the wall. According to the season, before any signs of growth, they 
were removed into the ice-house where they were put upon a shelf. There is little 
difficulty in keeping them here till the end of July, and so the season is gained. 
We have not done this for the last two years because we do not want early Grapes ; 
but if any cause arose to require them again, we should always put it in practice 
with pot Vines for the reasons mentioned above. At most places the demand for 
space in the early part of the season prevents many from being able to grow and 
ripen the canes in time for October starting, consequently they break badly, 
and in many instances disappoint those who rely upon them. F. 
WINTER BEDDING. 
We have to thank last summer for its approximation to more favoured climes. 
We must now extend the same to the past autumn, extraordinary for its mildness 
and genial weather, so much so that our rows and ribbons of Pansies, with 
Bed and White Daisies are quite in fine bloom, having more the appearance of 
spring than autumn. White Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens), Yellow Alyssum 
(Alyssum saxatile), numerous Polyanthus, and different-coloured Primroses, show 
a few blooms; all of which tend to enliven and add a cheerful appearance to 
what would otherwise have been naked soil. Since last month we have filled 
a large circle with centre row, Honesty; on each side triple rows of yellow Wall¬ 
flowers, two rows of Narcissus poeticus ; then two broad belts of blue Myosotis, 
two ditto of white Arabis, two ditto of Silene rubella; out-edging, Cerastium 
tomentosum. The Arabis variegata is far superior to this as an effective-leaved plant 
for winter, but the Cerastium makes a fine white row in spring when in bloom. 
There is also no question between Arabis variegata and lucida, the former at least 
in our soil. The white of the variegata is more distinct and shows better at all 
times ; the stripes of lucida being yellow are at all times more dull. 
In a long row of round beds we have planted all sorts of mixed Tulips, 
Narcissus, with stiff Crocus edgings, and the surface of each covered over, almost 
touching, with mixed Anemones. These latter are blooming now, and will con- 
