Grape Culture. 33 



atmosphere, and third gross roots, which perish completely 

 during the winter. And so on from year to year. 



After thinning the third time, give the borders a sprinkling 

 of vine and plant food, and water thoroughly into the border. 

 Attend to airing, particularly in the morning. Allow a rise 

 of 8 or so, then open the ventilators. Increase the supply 

 gradually, according to outside conditions. The bottom 

 ventilators will now have sometimes to be used. Damp down 

 and shut up with 90 sun heat. Keep night temperature 65, 

 although it will often run up to 70 at nights without much 

 firing. Look over the vines and keep all sub-laterals pinched 

 at the first leaf. 



CHAPTER XV. 

 WATERING AND MULCHING INSIDE BORDERS, 



THE watering of vines has been previously referred to. One 

 thing is certain, and that is, that a properly drained, well 

 made border is not very easily over-watered. A liberal supply 

 of water at about 80 should be given when the house is closed 

 down for starting. Another before the grapes come into 

 flower. A third after they are thinned ; a fourth after the 

 second swelling ; a fifth when they begin to colour. Over or 

 under watering will have a bad effect on the vines and cause 

 shanking, which is to be dreaded, especially when the drainage 

 is inferior. Although I have laid down these rules, never 

 water until you have used the border tester to see if your 

 border requires watering or not. These rules are only intended 

 as a guide when to examine your borders. Drive the tester 

 right down to the drainage ; give it a turn or two, pull it up, 

 and you will see exactly the state of the soil. I strongly 

 advise mulching all vine borders with spent mushroom-bed 

 manure, moss litter, or such like, as already explained. This 

 should be about three inches thick. This mulching favours 

 the production of numerous surface roots, which are of 

 inestimable value. 



