81S 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 27. 
Tliere is no reason assignable %Yhy the wines made 
at the Cape of Good Hope should not be equsil, or even 
superior to those produced in any other part of the 
globe; and, indeed, from the evidence of palates from 
which tliere need be no appeal, we know that w'ines 
equal to the finest white wines of Spain have been there 
manufactured. We believe that the sole cause of the 
usual low quality of the Cape wines is carelessness in 
their manufacture. This opinion we find confirmed by 
the report of the Wine Committee of the Cape Town 
Agricultural Society. It is there stated that tlie samples 
presented last year are considerably superior to those 
])reviously produced. We are sorry to hear that the 
funds of that Society are so low, and if there are no 
errors in its management, we are quite sure that govern¬ 
ment assistance could not be better directed than to¬ 
wards its support. 
The following is a list of the Poultry Shows of which 
we are at present aware. We shall be obliged by any 
of our readers sending us additions to the list, and 
giving the address of the Secretaries. 
Reigate, February 1st and 2nd. {Sec. J. Richardson, 
Esq.) 
THE POSITION OF FRUIT TREES IN THE 
NEW YEAR. 
The past winter, if such it may he called, has been 
of such singular character, that I would advise all fruit 
growers to he on their guard. 
Peaches, Nectarines, &c., here, are in such a forward 
state now (danuary 4th), that we have deemed it ex¬ 
pedient to cover them instantly with the canvass so 
often alluded to. The buds are already in the condition 
of being rubbed off with the least friction, and cannot 
be expected to withstand some fifteen or twenty degrees 
of frost, which is something more than a mere possi¬ 
bility. 
What, then, is to be done? My opinion is, that the 
only chance will be in pruning somewhat later, some¬ 
what lighter, and in covering the trees during all 
sunshine, and all hard frosts, and uncovering to 
the chilling bree/e and the cloudy day. As to late 
pruning, it may be called in as an accessory that may 
prove useful, and in this wise ;—early pruning, by 
confining the range of the sap in a narrower compass, 
by consequence increases its impetus, and has a ten¬ 
dency to force out the back buds somewhat earlier—a 
thing, under present circumstances, by no means de¬ 
sirable. In thus ofl'ering an opinion, I would not have 
it inferred that such falls in with the new idea of its 
being a prudent course to protect the wood of fruit trees 
from frost every winter. This new practice, so strongly 
urged by some, had originated, it would appear, with 
Mr. Rarron, at Elvaston, a gentleman whose high 
name would certainly appear an authority for almost 
any gardening practice. However it may have suc¬ 
ceeded with him, or others, I cannot say; I have so 
often known full crops of first-rate fruit after intensely 
hard winters, that it is not here where the shoe pinches. 
The public, after all, is a very changeable creature: 
Proteus-like, or as the chameleon, it is not always to be 
seen in the same form or colour. But these are days of 
experiment, and sooner or later, the cauldron being kept 
constantly boiling, the scum arises, and we come to the 
piire article. I allude here to the fitfulness which has 
attended the progress of the question of protection, not 
governmental, but horticultural, and as concerns the 
fruitist. Mr. A. says, “ Cover not at all. I lost all my 
peaches and apricots last year by this artificial pro¬ 
cedure.” Mr. B. says, “ Depend upon it, it will not do 
to leave trees to accidental extremes, and dignify them 
with the high-sounding title, ‘ Nature.’” Mr. C. will not 
only cover to protect blossoms, but the very w'ood of 
the trees when in a state of dormancy; and Mr. D., who 
is a decided utilitarian, begs to know who is to find 
the protective material ? 
We had a saying in early days, that “it’s all very well 
to talk of flying kites, but who is to find pack-thread ? ” 
And, indeed, so much of this covering is very expensive, 
especially if on for many months. As for straw, ropes, 
and all such things, they are quite unworthy the age ; 
besides, these mightily concern the labour question, and 
it is certainly all very well for those gentlemen who are 
so fortunate as to get what amount of labour is reaUy 
desirable; but what becomes of the rest ? It is of no 
use saying, men can make them in bad weather; every 
gardener knows that in-doors work has increased in a 
somewhat similar ratio to out-doors labour during the 
last tv/enty years; certainly, those practitioners who 
buy all their brooms, baskets, &c., instead of making 
them, as we countrymen are obliged to do, may speijd 
much time in twisting straw ropes. I really, therefore, 
feel little desire to see the straw system become general, 
feeling assured that, when all things connected with 
them are duly estimated, there is no real gain—indeed, 
the very reverse. 
But then, the question arises—If trees must he covered, 
what is best and most economical in the end ? And 
really, if the public is prepared to build such expensive 
things as glass walls, surely it will not stumble at the 
question of a cheap canvass! I may here observe, that 
it is matter of great astonishment to me, and others, 
that a still better material has not been produced, seeing 
that our textile fabrics have, in general, attained so high 
a position. Canvass only needs an increased dura¬ 
bility, and the world is not now confined to mere hemp 
for such purposes. There is no question but an in¬ 
genious man would speedily realise a fortune, could he 
produce an article combining the desiderata of the 
horticulturist. 
Thus much for a hint as to progress. Let us get back 
to the fruit-tree protection, as to our present position. 
Canvass, then, at fourpence per square yard—for which 
price, I have little doubt, it could be had for in quantity 
—is at present the most eligible; and this, fitted to a 
I given length of walling, and confined to that pur])ose, 
will last for seven years. But then, it ought to be fitted 
up by a mechanic in the first instance, or, ten to one 
' it is worn out in half the time by imperfect action. 
Now, as nobody, in these days, of any repute, wfill 
doubt the immense utility of copings—moveable copings, 
why not have these wide enough to receive canvass on a 
roller, somewhat after the manner of the Metropolitan 
orchid houses ? By such means, the canvass might be 
kept generally dry, and consequently wear the longer. I 
merely throw out this as a hint for those it may concern ; 
those determined to go a-head, and who are not to be 
baffled into unwortliy practices by an unjustifiable fear 
at the first outlay, which fear, by the by, has ruined 
many a well-concerted plan. 
However, whatever plan, get, we say, the trees covered 
immediately, but not with the intention of coddling 
them; but remember, that if the trees have been ne¬ 
glected in the previous summer, if their wood is badly 
ripened, do not blame protection: no covering can 
render such a condition satisfactory. As before ob¬ 
served, it is in the use of protection I confide; it is quite 
possible to prove an abuse. 
Let the trees be unshaded on all possible occasions. 
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