The questions you put to us involve so many considerations that we cannot give them a reply that would satisfy us, or be safe as a guide for you in the space at our command at this time. Vineries under one man's management may pay 50 per cent on their cost annually after the first year, while under another's they may not pay for the coal and labour. In these matters so much depends on proper management, that no estimate that would hold good in ten out of a hundred cases can be given. Watch what we shall have to say under the head of "Fruit Culture," and form your own estimates, or send us your address and we will write you privately.

J. F #1

Apricots are by no means a certain crop under glass. They should have plenty of air when in bloom, and see that they never get dry at the roots. Pears fruit very well in pots; but unless the ventilation of the house they are in is very complete, so that a current of fresh air passes through and amongst the trees, the flavour is often defective.

J. F #2

Thanks for your suggestion, which shall be considered.

J. F #3

The large purple bloom is very deficient in fulness of petal and symmetry. The crimson is very large, also colour effective, but wanting in symmetry. The same applies to the bicolour one. There are much finer blooms in cultivation.

J. F #4

We suspect the roots of your young Vines are being devoured by wire-worms. Place a thin layer of horse-droppings on the surface, and cover it closely over with boards: examine beneath the boards and you will soon find the worms, if our suspicion be correct; and if so, turn over the boards every morning and pick up the worms. Pieces of carrot or potato thrust into the border and examined daily is also a good way of getting rid of them. If wire-worm is not the cause, we cannot say what is, seeing your soil is fresh and good.