THE 



GARDENER. 



MARCH 1879. 



VINES IN PITS FOR EARLY FORCING. 



HE cultivation of Vines in pots for early forcing — now an 

 established custom in gardens — was perhaps the best idea 

 that ever suggested itself to modern cultivators of the 

 Grape Vine. It has saved the permanent Vines in early- 

 houses from being forced at an unnatural season, and it is always 

 a ready means of filling up a gap temporarily when other resources 

 have failed. It is also an excellent plan of utilising space, for a 

 season or so, after young Vines have been planted in new houses, 

 as well as affording scope for variety in cases where aspirants to 

 Grape-culture in a small way desire to have mixed subjects in the 

 same house. 



"We refer briefly to the advantages of pot-Vine culture, not with 

 the idea of giving an introductory harangue, but with a wholesome 

 dread of some one who has been well served by the system misunder- 

 standing our intention — which is not that of suggesting a plan which 

 would supersede the pot- Vine system, but simply to suggest a plan 

 that would supplement it. 



The idea of forcing Vines in pits first suggested itself to us on 

 account of our being engaged in weeding out an old place ; and it is 

 well known that it would be inevitable ruin to permanent Vines to 

 force them early the second or third year after planting. Pot-Grapes 

 are very good and most useful through the month of April and the 

 early part of the month of May ; but after that date they compare 

 badly with produce cut from established Vines. 



We would therefore recommend extended root -room for early 



