152 THE GARDENER. [April 



In the early forcing department the effects of the long cold season 

 have been most apparent in the slow and comparatively little progress 

 of such crops as early Grapes, Pines, Peaches, Strawberries, &c. No 

 doubt experienced gardeners may now be able to make up some of the 

 lost time by a more rapid forcing pace. Though this may to some 

 extent be a necessity, it is not by any means a desirable one. Beyond 

 doubt, those who have attempted to force early Vines and Peach-trees, 

 having their roots chiefly in outside borders, have reaped an experi- 

 ence that ought to demonstrate the absurdity of the theory held by 

 some, that earth-heat is an immaterial condition. To force Vines, 

 with their roots in a much lower temperature than the atmosphere of 

 the vinery, is one of the most flagrant violations of the laws of nature, 

 and to arrive at anything like thoroughly satisfactory results, by prac- 

 tically controverting these laws, is impossible. This subject has been 

 warmly discussed at intervals, since ever we had any acquaintance 

 with horticultural literature, and, perhaps, never more warmly than 

 during the last twelve months. It is, in truth, remarkable that this 

 should be the case. The marvel appears to us to be that more effici- 

 ent arrangements have not long ago been adopted for affording more 

 favourable, because more natural, conditions to the roots of Vines 

 and Peaches that are forced throughout the winter months. 



Covering up the borders in early autumn with non-conducting 

 material to conserve the natural heat of summer, and the allowing of 

 that heat first to escape, and — at midwinter when forcing is com- 

 menced — to force more heat into the border by means of a hotbed of 

 litter and leaves, are the two systems pitted against each other by 

 controversialists. In a certain way, and to a certain extent, these 

 systems answer the end in view. But neither the way nor the extent 

 are good imitations of the natural way. They are, however, in many 

 instances, the only available methods. The objections to them are, in 

 the first place, that they are laborious and very untidy ; but our 

 greatest objection is that the surface of the border is reduced to an 

 unnatural state of soddenness, and the roots near the surface are 

 very apt to be roots that are very easily injured when the mucky 

 coverings are removed. 



It is astonishing, now so many Grapes are forced early, that 

 vineries are not erected on more correct and rational principles for 

 this purpose. In the construction of early vineries and peacheries a 

 much more efficient and natural way of preserving the natural heat of 

 autumn in the soil, and of augmenting it at the proper time, should 

 be provided for. This could be done much more effectually, and in 

 the long-run at less expense, than by the cumbrous, untidy, and to 

 some extent injurious, systems in common practice. The winter and 



