THE GARDEN WEEK BY WEEK 



Feb. the planter to abstain from using manure, unless his 

 15-28 soil is very poor indeed, as the Fig grows quite ram- 

 pantly enough without. Instead, let him dig in some 

 mortar rubbish, or, failing this, lime and wood-ashes. 

 Further, let him ram the soil firmly about the roots. 

 The variety Brown Turkey is one of the best. It crops 

 well, and the flavour is delicious. 



Early Grapes. — I spoke in the previous chapter of the 

 starting of the Vines into growth for yielding early 

 Grapes. Those who have Vines in bloom at the present 

 time have the happy promise of success before them. 

 The house is filled with a pleasant perfume ; it is an 

 agreeable place to enter, to work in. But for the 

 present there is not much to do, as watering the borders 

 is best omitted while the bloom lasts. When the fruit 

 has set it may be resumed. A buoyant atmosphere, not 

 too humid, should be maintained, and the temperature 

 may be about 55°. In the case of later Vines, which 

 may be just breaking into growth, note should be taken 

 of the shoots. There may be more than one bud on 

 each spur, and in this case the better of two or more 

 shoots should be taken, and encouraged to make healthy 

 extension in a moist atmosphere. The borders should be 

 kept damp. And when the bunches of fruit show, which 

 they will speedily do, the grower should learn to dis- 

 criminate between those of good and those of bad form. 

 A short, dumpy bunch will show its character at once, 

 and there need be no fear about parting with it, as 

 another is sure to form. An effort should be made to 

 get a long, symmetrical bunch, because such a one will 

 maintain its graceful form as it develops. When the 

 lateral has extended to a couple of leaves beyond the 

 chosen bunch, it may be stopped by pinching off the 

 tip. The laterals will not grow naturally in the 

 104 



