GRAPE VINES FORCING. 



must commence the first week in November, the house in the preceding fortnight having 

 been kept at a temperature of 50 by artificial means, with full ventilation above that 

 heat. Commence with a temperature of 55 at night, and CO to 65 by day. Increase 

 to CO at night, and 65 to 70 by day when the buds break, and when the vines are 

 in leaf raise the heat to 65 at night, and 70" to 76 by day, 5 less in severe weather. 

 When Hearing the flowering stage gradually increase the heat to 70 at night, and 

 when the grapes are set lower it to 65 on mild and 60 on cold nights, 70 to 75 on 

 mild days, and 65 to 70 when dull and cold, continuing this until the grapes have 

 stoned ; then advance the day and night temperature 5, and continue this until the 

 grapes are ripe. The great point is to get the 

 heat up early in the morning to its day's mini- 

 mum, and from daybreak to nightfall maintain 

 a genial atmosphere. An increase of 10 to 

 15 by sun heat is a great aid, but it cannot 

 be relied on during the five worst months of 

 the year. Seek a change of atmosphere dairy 

 if possible, in the early part of the day by 

 a little top ventilation, but in sharp weather 

 enough air will enter by the laps of the glass 

 and crevices of the woodwork. On fine days 

 ventilate early, and secure a circulation of 

 warm, rather dry air when the grapes are 

 ripening. 



Water must be carefully applied until the 



Fig. 98. POT VINE COILED ROUND STAKES AND IN FEUIT. 



buds break, and the soil must not be wet. 



Increase the supplies with the growth, and they will need to be liberal as the vines 

 come into leaf and onwards until the crop is perfected. Afford liquid manure after 

 the grapes are set, continuing it periodically till they show colour, and gradually 

 discontinue, say by the time the first berries are fully coloured. Clear water should 

 then be given, but do not sodden the soil by needless soakings. Top-dress with lumpy 

 root-accelerating, growth-sustaining material, and remember that all food supplied 

 must be in a soluble state, such as dissolved bones and nitrate of potash. Slow-decom- 

 posing substances, such as ^-inch bones, are of very little use for fruiting vines in pots. 

 Atmospheric moisture must be regulated according to the weather and the needs 



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