3 i4 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



roof house providing those necessities of very early forcing, with provision for bottom 

 heat by means of a fermenting bed, is shown in Fig. 97, opposite. 



To have ripe grapes in March the vines must be in position by the middle of 

 October, and forcing must be commenced the first week in November ; in April by the 

 middle of November and started the first day of December ; in May by the middle of 

 December, and forcing heat given on New Year's Day forward. The pots may be stood 

 on slates on the hot-water pipes, but brick pedestals are the best ; the pit may be filled 

 with three parts oak, Spanish chestnut, or beech leaves, and one part stable manure, 

 thrown into a heap, moistened, and turned once or twice to warm and sweeten. This 

 should be put in lightly at first, and so as not to produce more heat about the pots 

 than 65 until the buds break ; then press down the material and add more, so as to 

 increase the heat to 70, keeping the bottom heat steady when the vines are in leaf at 

 70 to 75. When the material has become firm and level with the rims of the pots, 

 turves 6 inches wide and 2 inches thick may be placed on the soil in the pot, and extend 

 over the rim on to the fermenting bed. The roots will then extend into the bed, and 

 afford considerable support to the vine, and if liquid manure is poured on the turves 

 the grapes will become fine. 



Place the vines 2 feet apart more rather than less depress the canes so that the 

 lowest buds which are desired to break will be the most elevated, and secure the 

 vines to the trellis when an even break has been effected. If portable vines are 

 wanted for decorative purposes when the fruit is ripe, coil each cane round three or 

 four stakes placed in the pot so as to form a column or bush when fully grown, as 

 shown in the engraving, Fig. 98, page 315, or in such other form as may be desired. 



The treatment of vines in pots is identical with that of fruiting vines generally. 

 Those forced early and cropped heavily are of no use for future work. They may, 

 therefore, be allowed to carry all the fruit they are able to bring to maturity, but 

 J pound per foot of rod is as much as can be expected, and 1 pound per foot of rod is 

 a maximum crop when the roots have the run of a fermenting bed. Six to 8 pounds 

 per vine is considered a fair crop ; it is an extravagant estimate of the producing 

 capabilities of a vine forced to ripen the fruit in March, yet that weight is much 

 exceeded by vines which ripen their crops in summer. Vi'nes for fruiting in pots must 

 be well grown and the grapes well coloured, otherwise they are unsatisfactory and 

 costly. 



To have grapes ripe in March or the beginning of April, forcing, as before stated, 



