i88i.] FEEDING VINES AND SETTING MUSCATS. 455 



into larger pots as the others get filled with roots ; and they should 

 get plenty of light and air, so that they may be kept stocky, and that 

 the wood may get well ripened. The winter temperature should range 

 about 45°; and after the flowering season is past, they should be cut 

 back pretty hard, and started away into growth again in a mild heat. 

 This operation should be performed annually, so that they may be 

 kept bushy. After they have started again into growth, they should 

 be hardened off, and placed outside in a sheltered position, but where 

 they are fully exposed to the sun. In order that the wood may get 

 matured, they should be put either on a deep bed of ashes, or ou 

 inverted flower-pots, so that worms may not obtain a lodgment in 

 them. They are occasionally attacked by red-spider ; but the best way 

 to keep this in check is to maintain the plants in a healthy condition 

 at the roots, and to syringe them now and again. 



J. G., W. 



FEEDING VINES AND SETTING MUSCATS. 



I CAN thoroughly corroborate the remarks in the leading article of your 

 August number, on the feeding of Vines in general and the setting of 

 Muscats. Having annually practised the same manner of mulching all 

 our Vine-borders for the last five or six years, the roots of the Vines 

 are now running all over the border within 3 inches of its surface : 

 previously not one could be found nearer it than a foot. 



The Vines under my care are nearly forty years old, and I would not 

 advise any one to adopt the common practice of uprooting old Vines in 

 order to substitute young ones, if they showed signs of moderate vigour ; 

 for from these old Vines, after five years of rich top-dressings, there has 

 this season been cut bunches weighing 5 lb., and the average weight 

 all over was 2h lb. 



I have advocated low night-temperatures, as I consider it only a waste 

 of both fuel and vegetable force, if I may so term it, to force with high 

 night-temperatures. But after several years' trial of this system, we 

 are convinced that a set of Muscats is more certainly secured with a 

 rather high temperature. Our former temperatures for Muscats at the 

 blooming period ranged from 55° to 60°, according to the state of the 

 weather. Under this temperature some bunches set very fairly ; but 

 this season they set very much better with fully 5° more heat. Besides, 

 our best set bunches have always been at the hottest part of the vinery. 

 At one particular place there is a hot-water tank and a flue passing 

 up the wall, and near to this hot part our best set bunches have 

 always been found. The damping of the house is never stopped 

 when the Vines are in bloom, and I do not consider a very dry atmo- 

 sphere necessary ; but certainly my experience points to a rather high 

 temperature for the greater part of the twenty-four hours of the day 

 when Muscats are in bloom. J. W. B. 



