MARCH. 7^ 



thing to be attended to. It therefore matters little which is practised ; 

 one Vine will therefore be planted either under each rafter or under 

 the centre of each sash. 



When the time arrives for planting, take advantage of dull weather, 



that the Vines may overcome any slight check they may get, before 



very bright sunshine occurs, from which otherwise it would be necessary 



to shade them for a few days. When planting the Vines, turn them 



carefully out of their pots, liberating the roots on the outside of the ball; 



and having previously made holes in the middle cf the narrow border 



inside the house, under the spot you intend training them, lay the 



ball in the hole, arranging the liberated roots, so as they may pass under 



the sill into the outside border ; the ball should at the same time be 



placed rather on one side, the more effectually to assist the roots to take 



that direction ; and at the same time, it will assist the young shoot to 



reach the trellis at an easier angle. This done, close the compost 



gently round the ball, and give a slight watering ; the compost will 



cover the ball a couple of inches, and a thin mulching of any rotten 



manure may be spread over the surface inside the house, which should 



be kept constantly damp, but not wet, to encourage the free growth of 



the yoimg roots. The shoot must be very slightly tied to the trellis at 



first, or there will be danger of its growing itself off should the tie in 



any way prevent its free growth. A little fire by night for the first t-wo 



or three weeks will assist the growth, and the leaves should be syringed 



all over each evening, with frequent sprinklings of water during the 



day over the floor of the house. The temperature by night should be 58° 



which, as the season advances, may rise to 63° in three months' time ; 



this should be the highest night temperature allow^ed. During sunny 



days 80° to 85° may be permitted, giving air freely in bright weather, 



by opening the bottom and top ventilators early in the morning, very 



little at first, and increasing it as the day advances, diminishing it in 



like manner in the afternoon, and as the season advances, allowing 



sufficient to produce a gentle current through the house by night ; this 



may be done in a month from planting. As the Vmes advance, train 



them directly up the roof, the abundance of air I recommend, and 



comparatively low night temperature, will insure a short jointed growth, 



and large healthy leaves, which must be taken every care of Pinch off 



tendrils as they are formed, and lateral shoots, leaving two joints at the 



first stopping, and one each time after\vards. When the Vines reach the 



top of the house, which they in all likelihood will by the end of July, 



if not sooner, stop them. The laterals made after this may be allo\ved 



to grow four or five joints, or till they meet ; this encouragement of the 



foliacre will enable the Vines to make vigorous roots, and establish them- 



selves for future bearing. 



