Hot-house grapes are getting to be quite a luxury in America; as the ease with which California fills the market with open-air fruits gives people little desire to raise them artificially. Still, out-door culture has never given us fruit of as good quality, or as early as good hot-house culture can produce them; and there are still a few amateurs who would not be without a grape-house on any consideration. The following hint from the Journal of Horticulture, regarding the proper treatment of Muscats, will have some interest:

"Shallow well-drained borders, where abundant water could be given - where, indeed, the surplus from each watering could at once be seen running out of the borders, they being quite above the level of the surrounding ground - seem to suit the Muscat exactly, provided always abundance of water be given when that is required, whether from the borders being inside, or in dry weather if outside.

"Nothing is more calculated to prove disastrous to the welfare of Muscats, than too deep and ill-drained borders. Much time, labor and expense have been laid out on vine borders sometimes, which is very ill-requited, in regard to Muscats at least, for the simple reasons that the borders are made without enough drainage, and also too deep. Give me a shallow border above the level of the ground, an abundant supply of water, plenty of good soil and manures to top dress with every spring, and, other things being favorable, Muscats will thrive and fruit as freely as can be desired".