58 



The question may be asked, when is the proper time 

 to prune the vine ? This entirely depends upon cir- 

 cumstances. If they are to be forced early, they 

 must be pruned early. It may serve as a general 

 rule, to prune at least six weeks before it is intended 

 to begin to force : if it can be done two months pre- 

 viously it will be better; the pores of the wood, when 

 it is cut, will then be stopped so as not to bleed when 

 brought into a higher temperature. (Gard. Chron. 

 1841, 659.) 



As a general rule, spurred vines confined to the 

 rafter, and established on the principle of border- 

 making before detailed, will, under good management, 

 produce from fifteen to twenty pounds weight each, 

 everjr year, for many years. Vines spread over the 

 whole house will yield a third more. It is, however, 

 a better plan, where very superior fruit is the object, 

 to keep below this mark. The leading shoot, if there 

 be one, is a pretty good criterion of the energies of 

 the vine ; this, if it is honestly cropped, should always 

 be disposed, and also allowed, if possible, to ramble 

 freely. (Hort. Soc. Journ. 51.) 



Training. The simplest mode of providing for the 

 training of a vine up the rafters of a house, is to drive 

 long shanked nails with eyes at the head every two 

 or three feet, so that a wire can be strained through 

 these eyes the whole length of the rafter; "and if other 

 plants are to be grown in the house, one branch along 



