1879.] VINES IN PITS FOR EARLY FORCING. 105 



Chasselas Musque, and one or two Frontignans (which are being 

 inquired after, and are soon destined to resume their undoubted posi- 

 tion in point of excellence among early Grapes), so much the better. 



We have planted Madresfield Court one year, and fruited it the 

 next, on the principle recommended, in company with Black Ham- 

 burg and Foster's Seedling, and it carried six handsome bunches 

 which were ready for table in June — the Hamburg being fit for use 

 a month earlier. This Grape deserves a house to itself ; and with 

 Duke of Buccleuch along with it, would furnish such Grapes for 

 dessert as would enhance the estimate of early Grapes, and encourage 

 and enlarge the area of early forcing. 



With respect to Vines for planting, we would treat the matter on a 

 commercial basis rather than on personal notions. Accommodation is 

 everything, and Vines can be grown too dear where space is limited. 

 Vines that can be purchased from a nurseryman at a reduced price 

 at this season of the year are much cheaper to those who require 

 the space that would be occupied in growing young Vines from 

 eyes. Take a crop of Melons, for instance, a single fruit of which 

 is not to be purchased of any worth much under a guinea before 

 the beginning of June • compare the relative value of each crop, and 

 there is a very handsome margin, commercially speaking, in favour 

 of buying the Vines: but there are others who may think differently, 

 and it is therefore better to take both sides of the question. If the 

 Vines are to be purchased, this should be done some time between 

 ^November and February. They can be turned out of their pots, 

 which will save something in carriage, and be repotted again after 

 arriving at their destination. This being done, they should be cut 

 down to within two or three eyes of their base, and be kept on the 

 dry side until they are required to be started, say at the beginning 

 of February, when they should be well watered — that is, to moisten 

 all the soil in the pot, and allow it to become mellow in a cool house, 

 before the Vines are excited into action. After the buds break, a 

 thorough watering will need to be given, so as to moisten every 

 particle of soil in the pot ; and growth should be advanced as circum- 

 stances will permit. In case the Vines are not purchased before the 

 month of March, or even later, it is not a matter of such consequence; 

 only the Vines must not be cut down, but be introduced into heat at 

 once, and be disbudded to the required distance. We have planted 

 Vines from February up to the end of July in the way above de- 

 scribed, and all have done well; it is just a matter of choice and cir- 

 cumstances with the cultivator. We never plant Vines except when 

 growing ; and of course, for early work, the sooner the Vines are 

 started into growth the sooner will they be ripened and ready for 



