1879.] VINES IN PITS FOR EARLY FORCING. 107 



growing apace, and as soon as the roots are found to be at work, they 

 should be pinched at a joint or so from the point, and the lateral 

 growth removed from beside the base bud. Some growers allow the 

 rod to travel to the length of 5 or 6 feet, or to its fruiting length, 

 before stopping it ; but I always remark that when young Vines are 

 stopped at an early stage of growth, they are supplying themselves 

 with roots during the temporary stand-still, and they rush away with 

 increased vigour afterwards. 



During the growing season the roots of the Vines should be liber- 

 ally supplied with water, and be carefully ventilated. As regards 

 the length between the joints of a Vine, or the breadth or substance 

 of its leaves, it is a matter entirely dependent upon judicious ven- 

 tilation and atmospheric conditions. If half the Vines in the coun- 

 try got more water at the root, and double the amount of air that 

 they generally get, and about half the amount of atmospheric moisture, 

 I venture to predict that results in the majority of cases would be 

 different from what they are. The fact is, we have got so accustomed 

 to habitual syringing, that we keep Vines growing and extending their 

 shoots long after they would of their own free will settle down to 

 solidify the growth they had made, and plump up their fruiting-buds 

 with the sap that is expended in after-growths and laterals. 



As the Vines progress, it will be seen whether they require the 

 assistance of liquid manure at the root ; and this should be applied 

 when growth is, so to speak, on the wane, so that the fruiting-buds 

 will benefit by the application, and not the surplus growth that is to 

 be cut away at pruning-time. Ripen off carefully, and remove the 

 sashes, where it is practicable, for a month or six weeks during the 

 autumn. The system would be found to be a great relief where 

 alterations are going on, or to relieve the strain on early houses 

 which are declining in vigour ; besides, the Vines — unlike those in 

 pots — will bear two good crops of fruit, and will^ answer better the 

 second year than the first, as they can be forced earlier the second 

 season. 



It is recommended that the Vines should be planted 3 feet 

 apart — for this reason : that a young rod could be worked up from 

 the base of each Vine, so that the cultivator might choose between 

 the rod and the spur system, or arrange matters in such a way as to 

 give both plans a trial. AVe have tried both ways, and can vouch for 

 either yielding good results. "W. Hinds. 



