CHAP. I VILLA GARDENING 315 



count the future, and, iu the case of any plant so easily and quickly 

 raised and grown to a fruiting size as the Grape vine is, there is 

 not much risk to run. At any rate hundreds who build vineries 

 are anxious to have fruit from them as soon as possible. Where 

 young fruiting canes are provided a crop may be had the same 

 season as the house is built, if it is finished early in the year ; but 

 I have shown that a good crop may be taken the second year 

 without incurring that expense, whilst cautious people will pro- 

 bably prefer to wait for a full crop till the third year, meantime 

 taking a few bunches from the bottom the second year. An old 

 friend, a successful Grape-grower, always allowed his young vines 

 to grow freely the first year, then cut them back to within a foot 

 of the bottom of the rafter, and led up a rod, which bore a heavy 

 crop the next year, the wliole length of the rafter. The old- 

 fashioned way is to cut back to within 4 feet or so of the bottom at 

 the end of the first year, and take three or four bunches of Grapes 

 from the bottom eyes. A further instalment of growth is made 

 next year, and the whole house filled up the year following. It 

 will thus be seen that it is a cultivator's question altogether. If 

 we like to go in for high feeding and take pains with the roots to 

 keep touch of them — if I may so term it — it does not signify much 

 when or how the crop is taken. If we possess the knowledge and 

 ability to produce young canes of sufficient strength to bear a full 

 crop, and can by maturation lay up the bunches in the eyes or buds 

 in autumn, it is as certain as anything unaccomplished can well be, 

 that iu the s^mng, when the leaves unfold, these bunches will also 

 ai^pear, and that by judicious feeding — by, in short, giving the 

 necessary support — the Grapes will in due time ripen. 



The Eakly Forcing of Grapes. — To have ripe grapes in 

 May, forcing should begin in November. If June will be early 

 enough, then forcing may be delayed till the beginning of the new 

 year. For the fii'st ten days simply shutting up the house and 

 keeping the atmosphere moist with the syringe will be sufficient ; 

 the inside borders should be examined, and, if necessary, which it 

 probably will be, a good soaking of tepid manure water should be 

 given. If the vines are young, the rods shoidd be bent back and 

 laitl along the front of the house ; but as soon as the buds burst 

 forth the rods must be tied up in their places. If they break 

 sluggishly, take hold of the sleepy vine rod at the extreme end and 

 twist it as one would a rope until the pressure is felt its whole length. 

 This, in every case in which I have tried it, liberates the sap, by 

 rendering the cells and tissues of the stem or branch more flexible. 

 Ten days or a fortnight after the house has been closed the fire 

 should be lighted, the night temperature at this period to be from 



