314 VILLA GARDENING part IV 



Routine Woek. — For the first year this will be directed 



chiefly to the encouragement of growth. Yoimg trees require a 



good deal of water, both at the roots and also in the atmosphere. 



The yoimg rods must be tied to the wires as they progress ; when 



they are 5 feet long pinch out the point of the shoots to strengthen 



the back eyes. Another leader will start, and this should be laid 



in full length. The laterals should be pinched to one leaf. It is 



better to have moderately-sized wood, well rijoened, than large 



canes which are immature and soft and spongy. The matm-ation 



of the wood is the most important business in fruit growing. If 



the bunches of Grapes are not packed away in the buds before 



forcing begins, no amount of forcing can produce them, and this 



ripening requires warmth, with a free circidation of air. As a rule, 



if the roots are near the surface there is not much difficulty in 



getting the wood well ripened in the case of forced vines. In 



supplying atmospheric moistm-e many good gardeners do not use 



the syringe after the laids are started and leaves liave developed, 



trusting entirely to damping the floors and patlis. This is an 



operation that requires judgment. On fine bright days much 



more moistiure wUl be necessary than when the weather is cloudy ; 



indeed, in dull weather the damping may be discontinued, or at 



least should only be lightly done. No hard or fast line shoidd be 



laid down, for if, in persistently carrying out any rule, too much 



moisture is used, mildew may be generated ; or if, on the contrary, 



the atmosphere becomes too dry, red spider would probably make 



its appearance. A healthy, buoyant, growing atmosphere is required, 



and to secure this the outside temperatm-e will form a good guide. 



When the weather is settled and bright, the interior of the vinery 



should have a good damping at closing time. 



Management of Fruiting Vines. — As regards the period 

 of time which should elapse before young vines will bear a full 

 crop, very much depends upon the treatment they have received. 

 In a good light house, with liberal treatment — i.e. feeding well 

 Avith liquid manure and using highly concentrated stimidants — 

 vines struck from eyes in January will bear a good crop of fruit 

 the next year. The young vines are led up to the top of the house, 

 then stopped, and not allowed to proceed any farther, all laterals 

 being pinched back to one leaf. Very substantial canes, capable 

 of carrying from fifteen to twenty pounds of fruit, can be grown in 

 one season if all things are well done. It is true that most people 

 are contented to wait a longer period for a full crop the whole 

 length of the rafter, saying — and in many instances with truth — 

 that if you crop a yoimg vine, or work a young horse, too soon, it 

 must be at the expense of the future. Some are willing to dis- 



