3io THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



the top to carry it by. The figures added to Fig. 95 are the measurements of the 

 stand, Fig. 93, in section. 



" Fig. 96 is a simple form of stand, supported behind by two legs connected by a lath, 

 and generally held in position by a piece of twine, but instead of that it would be 

 preferable to have short spikes at A A, so that when on the table it can be placed at 

 any desired angle, the spikes keeping it from slipping about. This can be placed 

 in a box the same as in Fig. 95, the legs of the stand being laid parallel with the 

 board." 



FRUITING VINES IN POTS. 



Abercrombie, in 1770, mentions vines grown in pots, which, if placed in a hothouse 

 in December, "bear fine early grapes with but very little trouble." The Transactions of 

 the Horticultural Society state that one-year-old vines bearing fruit in pots were 

 exhibited in London in 1818, and considered extraordinary. Now it is not uncommon 

 to see vines in pots, started in November, with ripe grapes in March or April. Where 

 thin-skinned grapes are preferred to thick-skinned, this procedure is admirable, because 

 it does away with the starting of planted-out vines at a season which taxes their 

 energies and wears them out quickly. Potted vines are also employed to supply fruit 

 whilst those planted-out are being established, or where the houses or borders are under- 

 going renovation, so as to maintain the supply of grapes. 



Express workers strike vine eyes in early spring, grow the vines into fruiting 

 canes the same season, rest them a few weeks, start them in November, and place ripe 

 grapes on the dessert dish in the March or April following. This entails great care and 

 attention with no little skill to accomplish, and is the reverse of economical. The easiest 

 way to secure sturdy vines for fruiting in pots early the following year is that first prac- 

 tised by Mr. W. Miller, gardener 'at Combe Abbey, Coventry, described and shown in 

 Vol. I., page 103. The most general plan is to grow the vines raised from "eyes" 

 one year, cut them down to two buds, re-pot, and grow them into fruiting canes in the 

 second year. Such are termed " cut-backs," two-year-old vines, and these are the 

 cheapest and best. 



The propagation of the vine from an eye, and its treatment up to placing it in a 

 5-inch pot, are given on page 244, and shown in Fig. 74. At this stage it may be 

 taken in hand for growing into a fruiting cane the first season ; but as it differs little 

 in requirements from that of the cut-back, it is only necessary to state that it should 



