48 Propagation of the Grape Vine. 



frame, beating it well with the fork as you go on, whilst the manure 

 is brought half way up the sides and ends ; then finish off with some 

 long coarse stable litter, or leaves alone, to the level with the top of 

 the frame, leaving no part of it in sight but the sashes. 



When the plants make their appearance, care must be taken not 

 to neglect giving air, every day, when the weather will admit of it ; 

 if it should so happen that the wind is sharp and piercing, and at the 

 same time a fine, bright sun-shine, air must be given, either at the 

 front or back of the frame, making use of a single or double bass mat 

 laid over that part where air is given; this will be a means of check- 

 ing the cold air, meliorating it in some measure, and rendering it more 

 congenial to the growth of the young plants. Covering up the whole 

 surface of the frame with double bass mats, every night after the 

 plants make their appearance, must also be attended to, as long as 

 the nights are cold; covering up when the sun leaves the frame at 

 night, and uncovering when the sun shines on it again in the morn- 

 ing. Some days will be dull and cloudy, with no sun-shine ; never- 

 theless, the frame must be uncovered at the regular time in the 

 morning, as it would be very injurious to the plants to keep them 

 shaded over, during the day ; for light is indispensably necessary to 

 their well doing. When the plants are four or five inches high, they 

 should be repotted, into pots of the fourth size (about seven inches 

 in diameter). A similar compost recommended for the eyes will 

 answer ; and care must be taken when the plants are turned out of 

 the pots, to keep the ball entire. 



Take off the frame from the bed, and also the soil, and fork it up, 

 and level it; then put on the frame, and also the soil on the surface, 

 plunge the pots down to the rim, and give them a gentle watering. 

 The plants should be shaded from the hot rays of the sun, for a few 

 days after repotting, viz. — from about ten in the morning, to two or 

 three in the afternoon. In about a week, the plants will, if well 

 managed, begin to grow freely ; give a copious supply of air every 

 day, or the plants will grow weak, and of course be much injured ; 

 a little manure water, three or four times a week will make them 

 grow luxuriantly. If the plants begin to touch the sashes, the frame 

 must be raised, to allow them to extend their growth, by propping 

 it up with a few blocks of wood. About the second week in June, 

 the plants should be repotted again, for the last time, into pots of 

 the sixth size, and plunged out in the open air, under a south fence 

 or wall ; the pots to be mulched over with some old hot-bed manure, 

 and a stake placed to each plant, about eight feet high, to secure 

 the plants to, as they proceed in their growth. 



Yours, J. W. Russell. 



Mount Auburn, Cambridge, Dec. 27, 1834. 



(To be Continued.) 



