58 THE BOOK OF THE GRAPE 



bottom of the rafter, afterwards leaving about two feet of 

 young rod at each annual pruning time until the top of 

 the rafter is reached. The next step to be taken in the 

 preparation of the vines for " starting " is to rub all loose 

 bark off the main stem and from round the spurs, being 

 careful in doing the latter not to injure the bud to within 

 half an inch or so of which the side-shoots have been 

 pruned back. Then to make sure that no insect or 

 larvae remain on the vines, should any happen to have 

 effected a lodgment thereon during active growth, paint 

 them with a mixture consisting of four ounces of soft 

 soap dissolved in a gallon of hot water, a wineglassful of 

 petroleum being added and well agitated by drawing 

 some of the soapy liquid into the syringe and then dis- 

 charging the contents into the vessel again in order to 

 render the petroleum soluble. While in this state add 

 about a quarter pound each of finely sifted soot and 

 flowers of sulphur, and sufficient clay to render the 

 mixture of the consistency of thick paint, this being 

 stirred occasionally in being applied to the vines by 

 means of a stiffish paint brush. The glass, woodwork 

 and brickwork should, however, be washed before 

 painting the vines with the mixture, the brickwork 

 being washed with liquid lime, and the glass and wood- 

 work with soft soapy water, if considered necessary, 

 finishing off with clean water applied with the syringe. 

 This done, tie the vines together in a horizontal position 

 immediately over the hot-water pipes close to the front 

 wall of the house. If the vinery should happen to be 

 span-roofed, the vines should be tied on either side, 

 as a matter of course. Thus tied, the vines not only 

 start into growth more regularly by reason of the check 

 so given to the flow of sap, but they can be damped 

 over with clean water delivered from the syringe much 

 more quickly and thoroughly than would be the case 

 were the vines tied up separately to their allotted 



