Part 21

Grapes.--The cultivation of Grapes in the open in our cloudy and changeable climate cannot be looked forward to with any certainty of success. Two successive favourable seasons are indispensable--one to ripen the wood, and the next to ripen the fruit. Nevertheless, the highly ornamental foliage of the vine entitles it to a place on our walls, and every facility should be afforded for the production of a chance crop of fruit. The soil most suited to the growth of the vine is a medium loam, with which is incorporated a quantity of crushed chalk and half-inch bones. It should be given a south aspect, and be liberally supplied with water in dry seasons. April is the best time to plant it, spreading the roots out equally about 9 in. below the surface of the soil, and mulching with 3 or 4 in. of manure. Should mildew set in, syringe the vine with a mixture of soapsuds and sulphur. To secure a continuance of fruit, cut out some of the old rods each year as soon as the leaves fall, and train young shoots in their places. Last year's shoots produce other shoots the ensuing summer, and these are the fruit-bearers. One bunch of grapes is enough for a spur to carry. Professional gardeners cast off the weight of the bunches, and allow 1 ft. of rod to each pound of fruit. Tie or nail the bunches to the trellis or wall, and remove all branches or leaves that intercept light and air.

The vine may be increased by layers at the end of September. Cut a notch at a bud, and bury it 4 or 5 in. deep, leaving two or three eyes above ground. It may also be propagated by cuttings, about 1 ft. in length, of the last year's growth, with 1 in. of old wood attached, taken the latter end of February. Plant these deep in the ground, leaving one eye only above the surface. Both the Black Hamburgh and Royal Muscadine ripen as well as any in the open.

It is under glass only that Grapes can be brought to perfection. Here a night temperature of 55 to 65 degrees, with a rise of 5 or 10 degrees in the day, should be maintained, the walls and paths damped once or twice a day, and the vine syringed frequently until it comes into bloom, when syringing must cease, and a drier atmosphere is necessary; the moisture being reduced by degrees. As the grapes ripen, admit more air, and reduce the heat, otherwise the fruit will shrivel. After gathering the grapes syringe the vine frequently to clear it from spiders or dust, and keep the house cool to induce rest to the plant. The fruit may be preserved for a long while in a good condition by cutting it with about 1 ft. of the rod attached, and inserting the cuttings in bottles of water in which a piece of charcoal is placed: the bottles to be placed in racks nailed on to an upright post in any room or cellar where an equable temperature of 45 or 50 degrees can be kept up. The system of pruning adopted is that known as spur pruning (see "Pruning"). Mrs. Pearson is a very fine variety, and produces very sweet berries; the Frontignan Grizzly Black and White are also delicious.

Grasses, Natural--

AGROSTIS STOLONIFERA (Creeping Bent Grass).--Useful for damp meadows.

ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS (Meadow Foxtail).--Strong-growing and very nutritious.

ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM (True Sweet Vernal),--Hardy and gives fragrance to hay.

AVENA FLAVESCENS (Yellow Oat Grass).--Fine for sheep; grows freely on light soils.

CYNOSURUS CRISTATUS (Crested Dogstail).--Suitable for any soil.

DACTYLIS GLOMERATA (Cocksfoot).--Strong and coarse-growing; cattle are fond of it.

FESTUCA DURIUSCULA (Hard Fescue).--Dwarf-growing; excellent for sheep.

FESTUCA ELATIOR (Tall Fescue).--Useful for cold, strong soils.

FESTUCA OVINA (Sheep's Fescue).--Fine for dry, sandy soils.

FESTUCA OVINA TENUIFOLIA (Slender Fescue).--Suitable for mountain pastures.

FESTUCA PRATENSIS (Meadow Fescue).--Good permanent grass for rich, moist soil.

PHLEUM PRATENSE (Timothy, or Catstail).--Suitable for strong soils; nutritious and hardy.

POA NEMORALIS (Wood Meadow Grass).--Good for poor soils.

POA PRATENSIS (Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass).--Grows well on light, dry soil, and also in water-meadows.

POA TRIVIALIS (Rough-stalked Meadow Grass).--Fine for damp soil.

Grasses, Ornamental.--Fine for mixing in a green state with cut flowers, or in a dried condition for the decoration of vases, winter bouquets, etc. To have them in perfection gather them while quite fresh, with the pollen on them. Cut with as long stems as possible, arrange lightly in vases, and keep them in the dark till they are dried and the stems become stiff. The Grasses may be divided into two sections, viz., those for bouquets or edgings, and those grown in the border or on lawns for specimen plants. The class is numerous, but the following (which may be found described herein under alphabetical classification) may be mentioned:--

For bouquets and edgings: Agrostis, Anthoxanthum, Avena, Briza, Coix Lachryma, Eragrostis, Festuca, Hordeum Jubatum, Lagurus, and Stipa Pennata. For specimen plants: Eulalia, Gynerium, Panicum, Phalaris, and Zea.

Gratiola Officinalis.--This hardy herbaceous plant bears light blue flowers in July. A rich, moist soil is its delight. It is propagated by dividing the roots. Height, 1 ft.

Green Fly.--Fumigate the infected plants with tobacco, and afterwards syringe them with clear water; or the plants may be washed with tobacco water by means of a soft brush.

Grevillea.--Handsome greenhouse shrubs, which require a mould composed of equal parts of peat, sand, and loam. Give plenty of water in summer, a moderate amount at other seasons. Ripened cuttings may be rooted in sand, under a glass. Young plants may also be obtained from seed. They bloom in June. Their common height is from 3 to 4 ft., but G. Robusta attains a great height. Grevilleas will grow well in windows facing south.

Griselinia Littoralis.--A dwarf-growing, light-coloured evergreen shrub, which will thrive near the sea. It requires a light, dry soil, and may be increased by cuttings.

Guelder Rose.--See "Viburnum."

Guernsey Lily (Nerine Sarniense).--Soil, strong, rich loam with sand, well drained. Plant the bulbs deeply in a warm, sheltered position, and let them remain undisturbed year by year. Keep the beds dry in winter, and protect the roots from frost. They also make good indoor plants, potted in moss or cocoa-nut fibre in September, or they may be grown in vases of water.

Gumming of Trees.--Scrape the gum off, wash the place thoroughly with clear water, and apply a compost of horse-dung, clay, and tar.