34 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



and protected from the weather. If there is not forcing of plants, 

 Strawberries, Vines in pots, French Beans, or other things requiring 

 heat, the taking out of the Vines is not necessary, as ordinary bed- 

 ding or greenhouse plants can be kept, and are extensively, when the 

 crop of Grapes is cut and the foliage not close enough to exclude 

 all the light. Of course this practice may be termed a " necessary 

 evil," and the most careful attention is required to keep the house 

 cool, dry, and airy, not to start the Vines prematurely, and at the same 

 time to keep a suitable temperature for the plants. During the next 

 few months is a good time to prepare for the erection of new vineries 

 and the planting of young Vines. Most practical men do the planting 

 between March and June, either before the young Vines start into 

 growth or when they have grown a little and the soil is warmed by the 

 sun, and growth can go on uninterrupted with little artificial help. 

 Opinions as to time of planting are still in a great measure divided, 

 but both systems have proved very successful. If Vines, which did 

 well once, have of late years done poorly, we would advise that the 

 extremities of the roots should have an examination, and it may be 

 found that they have grown out of the good soil which may have been 

 prepared for them, and are starving in poor sand, or something un- 

 suitable. They should be lifted back till the good soil is found, and good 

 fresh loam placed in the opening at front. If turfy loam cannot be had, 

 some of the best of the garden soil may be taken, and the front of the 

 border filled up with it. It is often a matter of surprise why Vines 

 which have done well in some places for years, have suddenly become 

 infested with mildew, subject to red-spider, the foliage small, fruit in- 

 ferior, keeping badly, and shanking. This in very many cases (we 

 could mention many) could be traced to the " active feeders " being far 

 a-field of the fine made border, and not having a chance of getting into 

 good kitchen-garden soil, but finding their way into a miserable subsoil, 

 to starve or rot. Many of the best Grapes in the country are grown from. 

 Vines which find their way into good garden-soil, where they can luxuri- 

 ate at leisure. We give this hint so that amateurs and others who have 

 not the means of getting good loam from old pastures, &c., can have 

 fair success by using good garden-soil placed on suitable drainage, 

 thus keeping the feeders right — as the best a^jplied top-dressing, the 

 most careful watering, and attention to the most ably written calendar, 

 will be labour thrown away if the extreme points of the roots have not 

 pure and wholesome food to feed on. This principle applies to all 

 fruits. M. T. 



