OCTOBER. 297 



feet apart ; these are trained in main permanent stems from the soil to 

 the ridge ; horizontal canes are carried from the main stems every 18 

 inches ; these are six feet each in length, and interlace each other from 

 the neighbouring Vines. Each Vine bears fruit every alternate year 

 only on the horizontal six-feet canes, which are then cut off close to the 

 main stem ; the following season this Vine makes wood only, while its 

 next neighbour bears the crop. In this manner I have the house con- 

 stantly well cropped with fruit, although each Vine only bears a crop 

 every alternate year. 



Now for my reasons. 



Every one with his eyes open must have observed that fruit trees in 

 general, such as the Pear and Apple, will bear without exhaustion 

 heavy crops every alternate year, and many of them naturally fall into 

 this habit ; while a good crop of superior fruit every year off the same 

 tree is not to be expected. If the Pear or Apple, why not the Vine ? 

 In fact, the same thing has been observed of the Vine ; for a bad crop, 

 if the plant is in a healthy condition, is generally followed by a good 

 one, and vice versa. 



Moreover, a fruit-bearing spur of the Vine, and even the young wood 

 generally of a previously cropped Vine, does not ripen so soon or so well 

 as another Vine in the same house which has no fruit on it demanding 

 supplies. Now, what has been observed as beneficial for a crop of 

 fruit incidentally, why not render permanent and regular ? This I 

 have done with the very best results ; and in the Vinery to which I 

 have here alluded, there is no Hue or heating apparatus, all the heat 

 obtained being from a neighbouring Vinery, to which this is attached, 

 by opening the door and end sashes between the two. At present the 

 wood of the non-bearing plants is strong and well ripened, while much 

 of that on the fruit-bearing ones is raw and green. Besides the advan- 

 tages here detailed, it may be observed that this system includes others 

 acknowledged by intelligent growers ; these are, long rods and hori- 

 zontal training, 



I intend, in another season, to have permanent rods along the ridge 

 of this house, and to adopt dependant training — that is, from ridge to 

 eaves — instead of the horizontal, as at present. 



In another lean-to Vinery, I have prepared to carry out the alternate 

 system of cropping by Vines planted at the back wall of the house ; 

 these, by long canes led down the raflers, I intend to crop alternately 

 with the Vines in front, by long canes led up the rafter from them. 



Should any of your readers require further information, I shall be 

 happy to explain to any inquirers. 



I intend, with your permission, or if you wish it, to have something 

 to say at another time regarding the management of the Vine during 

 its growth, calculated both to lessen expense and trouble in the growth 

 of Grapes. 



M. D. 



Fifeshire. 



