Propagation of tht Grape Vine. 47 



the ground about eighteen inches larger than the frame, driving a 

 stake down at each corner, as a guide to go by ; adjust the brush- 

 wood accordingly, and commence making the bed, shaking the whole 

 of the manure well together, and beating it pretty solid with the fork 

 as you advance ; being mindful to build the bed up square with the 

 stakes, to the height of two and a half, or three feet: this done, 

 place the frame on the bed, and shut up close for a few days until 

 the heat rises; then give a httle air, by tilting up the light a few 

 inches at the back, to let the steam escape. By thrusting a stick or 

 two down in the centre of the bed, it will enable you to ascertain the 

 heat, by taking them out at intervals, and examining them; or, it 

 will be immediately perceived when the rank heat has escaped, by 

 no steam arising from the bed. 



The bed should be now covered over, three or four inches deep 

 with soil, still keeping the sticks in the bed, as a guide; as it is neces- 

 sary for the well-doing of the eyes, to be certain that the burning 

 heat is over, before plunging the pots : the strong heat starts the eyes 

 before any roots are protruded, and they frequently will advance in 

 growth, from an inch to two inches, before the roots are formed. 

 When this is the case, it is a hundred to one against them, if they 

 start thus prematurely : as soon as air is given, the plants that appa- 

 rently looked so flourishing, wilt down, to rise no more ; this is what 

 is generally called damping off. The above items, as regards the 

 temperature of the bed, are equally applicable to the forcing of 

 cucumbers and melons. 



It will now be time to begin to prepare the eyes (or buds); this 

 done, select some compost of light vegetable mould, and have at hand 

 as many pots of the first and second size, as there are buds : it will 

 be found to be far the best plan to plant only one eye in a pot, cov- 

 ering it with the mould, about an inch ; giving them when 

 finished, a gentle watering with a water-pot, through a fine rose. 

 Now begin to plunge the pots down to the rim, in regular order, 

 being careful to keep them as near level as possible ; attention 

 must be paid to watering, so as to keep the soil in the pots moist. 

 Too much moisture, or too much drought is equally injurious ; the 

 cultivator must take into consideration the two extremes, and en- 

 deavor to aA'oid them, to be successful. It will, perhaps, be neces- 

 sary in a fortnight after plunging the pots in the frame (or less time, 

 as it depends greatly upon the weather) to add more heat to the 

 bed ; this must be done by lining it all round, with a similar mixture 

 of manure and leaves, as the bed was made of If leaves cannot be 

 easily obtained, stable manure alone, will answer the purpose. Take 

 off the manure from the sides of the bed, all round, with a sharp 

 spade, as close as possible, and be careful to leave the frame secure; 

 then commence lining the beds, mixing the manure that is taken 

 from the sides with that which is supposed to be in readiness : then 

 begin to place the lining, about two feet in width, all round the 



