CHAP. I VILLA GAEDENING 317 



and tm-niug it frequeutly. This was a very common plan in old 

 times ; but modern gardeners generally have their vineries full of 

 plants all the winter, and cannot afford to run any risk with them, 

 for it must be borne in mind that if the manure is not thrown 

 together and fermented a little before it be taken into the house, 

 the gases which are generated by fermentation will destroy vege- 

 table life if in active growth. But in all cases, both the inside and 

 outside borders should be mulched for the purpose of encouraging 

 the roots to keep near the surfece. And as roots cannot live and 

 perform their work without moisture, the only chance of keeping 

 the roots in the upper stratum of soil is to keep them mulched 

 with short manm-e. But any soil, if mulched constantly, will 

 become pasty and sour, and once a year (in the case of forced vines 

 this should be done after the fruit is ripe) the mulch should be 

 taken away, and the border loosened up with a fork, to let in the 

 air to sweeten it. Before forcing begins, a light top-dressing of 

 whatever artificial stimulant is used should be sprinkled over the 

 borders, which should then be covered with leaves mixed with 

 sufficient manure to hold the leaves together and prevent their 

 blowing away. This covering shoidd be looked upon rather as a 

 coat to keep the warmth in the liorder which is already there, 

 than to impart any warmth to it by its own fermentation. I have 

 seen very wonderful residts follow the use of fermenting materials 

 on vine borders ; but there is a danger in their use, as it is very 

 diflicidt to keep the temperature regular in degree. As healthy 

 vines will produce good Grapes without artificial heat in a well- 

 drained border properly protected, there seems no necessity to make 

 a hotbed on the vine border, and the idea of warming a vine border 

 artificially with hot-water pipes never met with much favoiu- from 

 practical men, on account of the known dangers which attend 

 their use. 



Disbudding. — All healthy vigorous vines will produce more 

 shoots that can or shoidd be laid in, and these should be removed 

 as soon as the shoots showing the best bunches can be distinguished. 

 These latter should be regularly placed along the rods at intervals 

 of not less than 12 to 16 inches. They are often left much nearer, 

 but it is a mistake, as one handsome bunch of Grajies is of more 

 value than two of inferior quality, and the leaves, if they are to do 

 their work weU, must have breathing room. 



Stopping and Tying. — Many good cultivators pinch out the 

 leading bud when the shoots have made one leaf beyond the bunch, 

 but where there is space for their perfect development I think two 

 are better. The stopijiug should take place as soon as the leaves can 

 be seen. It is a waste of strength to leave the shouts to extend 



