and abundantly, and the flowers remain in beauty two or three days. It is a fine addition to this showy and brilliant family. (Flore des Serres, June.)

30. AZALEA INDICA EXQUISITA Hort. Charming Azalea. (Eri

càceœ.)

A greenhouse plant; growing three feet high; with variegated flowers; appearing in spring; a garden hybrid. Flore des Serres, pl. 239. 1847.

The production of seedling azaleas has greatly increased during the last few years, and the English, French, and Belgians, have raised many superior varieties; our own amateurs have also given this fine tribe much attention, and some of their seedlings are among the best in our collections. The variety now under notice is one which well represents its name, being exquisitely beautiful: the flowers are of a delicate rose, mottled with a deeper shade, striped with crimson, and edged with white. It is of a robust habit, and an abundant bloomer, and must rank among the very choicest which have yet been produced. It was raised by Mr. Smith, of Norbiton, near London, who has been one of the most successful cultivators of seedling azaleas and rhododendrons. (Flore des Serres, June.)

31. AZA`LEA INDICA STRIATA FORMOSI'SSIMA Hort.

striped Azalea. (Ericàceœ.)

Beautiful

A peculiarly delicate and unique variety, raised by Mr. Van Geersdale, of Ghent. The flowers are white, elegantly and irregularly striped with pale rosy violet; they are large and of handsome form, and abundantly produced. It is a fine companion to the exquisita, Gledstanèsii, and others of the same style of flowers, being distinct from either. The plant is of good habit. (Flore des Serres, June.) ·

32. CALCEOLARIAS. Van Houtte's Seedlings.

Amateurs, who have seen the ordinary seedlings which have been shown at our exhibitions, can form no conception of the beauty of the new ones, raised by M. Van Houtte, of Ghent. About twelve varieties are figured in the Flore des Serres, for June, and they are of the most remarkable character, both for the variety of their spots, blotches, bands, and pencillings, as well as for their brilliant colors.

REVIEWS.

ART. I. The Culture of the Grape. By J. FISK ALLEN. Embracing Directions for the Treatment of the Vine in the Northern States of America, in the Open Air, and under Glass Structures, with or without artificial heat. Pamphlet, 8vo. 56 pages. Boston, 1847.

THE culture of the grape, under glass, is rapidly extending every year. In our northern climate, where, except in cities, this delicious fruit cannot be produced in the open air, in any perfection, a grape-house, either with or without heat, will soon be a necessary appendage to every garden of any extent. A few years since, a bunch of handsome grapes, even as early as September, was quite a rare production, and commanded a very liberal price. Now our market is supplied with them from April to December, and at such reasonable rates, as to greatly increase the consumption of such a healthy fruit.

The increased attention which has been given to its culti vation, has demanded more information in regard to the treatment and management of the vines. With the exception of Prince's Treatise, there has been no elementary work, adapted to our climate, to which amateurs could refer, and the principal information has been given through the pages of our Magazine. A book, of the character of that before us, has been wanted, and Mr. Allen, whose experience as an extensive cultivator for the supply of large quantities of fruit, has been extensive, and his practice successful, has been so often applied to for information in regard to this subject, that he has been induced to give the results of his experience in the pamphlet now under notice.

The cultivation of the grape in England has been extensively pursued, and many treatises have been written upon the subject: one of the best of these is that of Speechly, who has been considered the best cultivator. But neither his, nor other treatises of foreign writers, are wholly adapted to our climate, and the young tyro who follows them, is often sadly disappointed in his crop. The difference of climate requires different modes of management, and although valuable hints and

suggestions may be learned from Speechly, and other writers, yet there will be much judgment to be exercised in applying their practice to our own.

Mr. Allen has thus alluded to this :

"There are several works published in England, written by practical men, giving ample directions for the cultivation of the grape in that country; but the climate of the Northern States of America is so different from that of England, that, however well calculated these directions may be for the latter, they can hardly be expected to suit the former. The temperature of England is milder, and is not subject to the great extremes of heat and cold which we experience. The searching northwesterly winds, which prevail with us in New England in the winter and early spring months, with the mercury often at zero, and even below that point, and the sudden changes we are liable to, in this season of the year, often equal to forty degrees in a few hours, render the care requisite, for the successful forced culture of fruit, very great, and the process a more difficult one, in this country, than in England."-p. 2.

In regard to the "more difficult" process of producing the grape, in this country, the author undoubtedly alludes to early forcing; for we apprehend that in cold houses the process requires as little care, if not much less, than in England.

The directions, Mr. Allen remarks, "are intended for those who may desire to cultivate this fruit, for their own pleasure or convenience, and do not wish to incur the expense of a regularly educated gardener, and who have felt the want of a concise and simple explanation of the process, and the rules by which the operations of forcing and of growing grapes, under glass structures, can be carried out."

Mr. Allen thus alludes to some of the advantages of our climate over that of England :—

"The disadvantages we labor under, in this country, in forcing fruit, from the extreme coldness of the weather in winter, are counterbalanced, in some degree, by the superior brilliancy of the sun, and consequent dryness of the atmosphere, at the time of ripening, which gives a flavor to the fruit, such as it can rarely be made to attain, in the moist, dull, and cloudy weather of England. The variations of the temperature are always indicated by a Fahrenheit thermometer."—p. 4.

Having just written our article upon the treatment of the grape in the greenhouse, (p. 293,) and having given our

views in relation to the formation of the border and general management of the vine, we shall briefly notice some of the directions of Mr. Allen, which differ from our own; particularly his views in relation to the preparation of grape borders. The work commences with the grapery,-its location,—the formation of the border,—planting the vines,—and their treatment for five years successively. The forcing of the grape,the retarding-house,-list of varieties, and, in conclusion, the pruning and training of out-door grapes.

"First in order," the author remarks, "and of the utmost importance, is the situation of the house. It must be so located that stagnant water will not remain on the border, or within reach of the roots of the vine." These directions are all-important, and cannot be deviated from in the successful management of the grape. Not so, however, the direction, that "the house should front the south," or "a slight variation, provided it is to the east." If forcing was only to be the object, this would hold true; but, for the ordinary culture of the grape, either with or without heat, it is, by no means, necessary. In our bright climate, any position but a northern one, will enable the cultivator to produce the most delicious grapes. We wish this to be understood, because there are many small gardens where it would be desirable to have a grapehouse; but where the location of the dwelling, or the form of the garden, would not allow of its being so placed, without setting at nought all appearance of harmony and good arrangement. It may be set down as a rule, that a grape-house may be so situated as to face any point from East to West, and without the least injury to the crop of fruit.

The preparation of the border is next in importance. Mr. Allen's plan is as follows:

"If the soil is a good loam, begin at one end and trench it; mark off ten feet the entire width; throw out the soil two feet deep; if bones, or the carcases of animals can be had, cover the bottom well with them; if these are not readily procured, slaughter-house manure may be substituted; mark off ten feet more of the border, and cover this manure with part of the soil from it; upon this, put an inch or two of oyster shells, or old lime rubbish, mixed with broken bricks; over this, put some soil from the border; then a good covering of cow manure; upon this, a slight covering of loam again, followed with a good portion of oyster shells, or the substitute; and over this, a thick covering of stable manure, well rotted; finish with a covering

of the loam. The whole length is to be made in this manner, in alternate spaces of ten feet each trenching. After it is finished, the border should be three feet six inches deep; it will settle to less than three feet in a few months; any soil left, after it is finished, can be carried off.

The proportions recommended for this border, are one half loam, one fourth bones, or other strong manure, one eighth oyster shells, or lime and brick rubbish, and one eighth rotten stable manure."—p. 7.

It will be noticed that Mr. Allen recommends the plan of many English cultivators, viz: the employment of the carcasses of animals, if they can be had, in the making of the border. They may undoubtedly be used; but, as we have remarked in the article alluded to, we believe they are, by no means, important, and, indeed, rather to be objected to, especially in retentive soils; and we are sure such borders never give better crops, or more delicious fruit than those which are made without them. We advised a thorough trenching of the border, but Mr. Allen directs that, although made up in layers, yet that the surface should only be spaded over before planting. Trenching could not of course be done where there were dead carcasses; but yet the compost above these should be, in our opinion, well intermixed. The best English grape growers, with one or two exceptions, advise this.

The planting of the vines and general management is nearly the same as we have already laid down.

In the forcing of the vine, Mr. Allen has had excellent success; and his remarks under this head are of great value. For several years he has exhibited fine fruit in May and June, which has attested his successful management. It is this portion of the work which will be read with great interest, for although we do not expect the number of cultivators will be numerous, who will attempt forcing, in comparison with those who rear the grape in cold houses, yet the directions are so explicit, that, with good judgment, and proper attention, those who would make the attempt will be successful, if his directions are followed. To the work we must refer for these in detail.

We only here notice some of the general rules which are laid down:

"If it is intended to winter-force, you must not commence the process, the first year, before the first of March; the second year, you may begin