148 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



FRUIT continued. 



Early Sulphur, Rough Red, Red Champagne, Pitmaston Greengage, 

 Bright Venus, and Langley Gem may be chosen. Rifleman, 

 Antagonist, and Leveller are three large varieties. 



Grape Vine (Vitis Vinifera). The Grape is one of the oldest fruits 

 cultivated in British gardens. It was probably found in Egypt. In 

 mediaeval times it was grown somewhat extensively in the open air, 

 but cheap glass has enabled us to grow superior crops economically 



PROPAGATING VINES BY EYES. 

 A bud or eye cut from a piece of ripe tatcral. 



PROPAGATING VINES BY EYES. 

 Growth starting. 



in houses, and outside wall space is now given to cordon fruit trees, 

 or to beautiful flowering climbers. The Grape Vine is an interesting 

 fruit to grow from first to last, and is well within the scope of 

 amateurs. Propagation : The plants are grown 

 on their own roots, like the majority of the 

 soft fruits, and may be struck either from buds 

 or cuttings while dormant in winter. A bud 

 (technically termed an " eye ") is a short piece 

 of side growth with one plump bud on it, and 

 several are placed 2 ins. apart in prepared soil 

 in a large pot. The compost may consist of 

 loam with a third of leaf mould and a liberal 

 sprinkling of sand. If it is kept moist, and the 

 pots are plunged in a mild hotbed, the eyes 

 soon start. But the rank and file of Grape 

 growers would do well to leave this work to 

 fruit dealers, who can raise better plants than 

 amateurs. Vineries : Grapes can be grown 

 well in any light house, but a wide lean-to is 

 more convenient than a span roof. Amateurs 

 often get nice crops from small houses when 

 they resist the temptation of crowding in all 

 kinds of other plants. By planting the vines 

 4 ft. apart at the front of the house they have 

 a clear run up the roof as far as the back wall. 

 The vinery should be light and well provided 

 with ventilators. It is not necessary that it 

 be heated unless early Grapes are wanted, but 

 it is advisable to have hot-water pipes in it, 

 if only a flow and return 4-in. circuit. Wires should be strained 

 under the roof 18 ins. from the glass. Soil : An inside border, con- 

 sisting of 3 ft. of old turves, with some broken bones and lime 



PROPAGATING VINES 

 BY CUTTINGS. 



i. Heel of old wood. 

 2. Basal buds (to be 

 removed). 3. Stem 

 buds (to be re- 

 moved). 4. Top 

 buds to be re- 

 tained 5. Depth 

 to insert. 



