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,