456 THE FORCING GARDEN. [NOT. 



*' allusions, " as they perhaps may be termed, de- 

 pends very much on the strength of tlie plants, and 

 their after treatment, in which, no doubt, a good 

 deal of latitude is to be given and taken. But a 

 proper manager of vines, as I have already observ- 

 ed, must have a predetermination about him, and 

 should leave as little to chance as he possibly can. 

 He m.ust manure well ; M-ater freely ; admit air 

 freely ; keep up a proper degree of heat ; summer- 

 dress his plants; thin the fruit; and, in short, be 

 ever on the aiert, and be careful in all things con- 

 cerning them. 



And, it may fairly be said, few plants (certainly 

 none under glass) would repay his trouble and ex- 

 ertions in a manner so bountifully as the vine. 



The further treatment of the plants, after prun- 

 ing, is in all respects the same as for those in the 

 forced house, spoken of last month, with respect to 

 washing or anointing the plants, dressing them to 

 the trellis again, and to forking up the border. Ob- 

 serve also to keep them from extreme cold, or much 

 wet, for ten days or a fortniglit after pruning, by 

 shutting up the house at night, and in rain ; but 

 when the wounds seem quite heal, expose it as for- 

 merly. 



These plants might be gently forced from the first 

 or middle of March next season ; considering sudi 

 forcing, however, as preparatory to full forcing the 

 third year, which, if the welfare of tlie plants be 

 studied, is soon enough. The more kindly tlicy be 

 treated 7iou\ the more grateful will they be after- 

 wards. Though a plant cannot speak and complain. 



