Cultivation and Management of Grojye Vines in Pots. 197 



fection : several vines, however, have, this season, perfected 

 eleven bunches each, each bunch averaging from half a pound 

 to one pound in weight. 



"When the vines are grown to the length required for fruit- 

 ing, they are stopped, leaving three or four laterals to take the 

 sap, and prevent the plants bursting their principal buds. As 

 soon as the wood is thoroughly ripened to the length required, 

 the vines are removed to an airy place, so that the wood may 

 harden ; and, when the leaves assimie a yellow color, they 

 are pruned to the length required, and placed in a vinery, 

 where they get plenty of air, but are just protected from frost. 

 During their dormant season, the plants receive very little 

 water, but, before taking them into heat, the pots are thor- 

 oughly examined, to ascertain the state of the roots, and also 

 to remove some of the largest pieces of drainage, to facilitate 

 the protrusion of roots through the bottom of the pots into the 

 tan beneath. Water is not given for a week after introduc- 

 ing the plants into heat, as it is found advantageous to keep 

 the mould tolerably dry ; but, as soon as the soil becomes 

 warm, it is well soaked with clear tepid soot-water. In this 

 early stage of their growth, it is best to bring the plant first 

 into healthy and vigorous growth, showing plenty of fruit and 

 fine foliage, and then stimulating manures are of service. 



" Where a house is devoted to pot- vines alone, every one is 

 supposed to know how to commence, as to temperature, but 

 where it happens, as in my case, that the plants are, of ne- 

 cessity, taken into a temperature of sixty degrees at once, it 

 is advisable to place them at the coolest end of the house, 

 with the pots close to the wall, against which the rods are 

 nailed, in the form of a hoop, turning the point down to the 

 pot ; they are then covered over with a composition consist- 

 ing of road-sand and cow-dung, in a plastic state, and by 

 using the syringe, so as to keep the dressing damp, I gen- 

 erally succeed in breaking every bud. When fairly broken, 

 they are set in the place where they are to perfect their fruit, 

 and receive plenty of water, but not more than they can make 

 use of. It is advisable to let them become tolerably dry once 

 a week, and then they receive a thorough soaking of soot, or 

 manure-water. As the fruit begins to color, water must be 

 supplied with a cautious hand, but abundance of air must be 

 17* 



