109 



water ; by this process a little assistance to the stem 

 may be derived by absorption. From the high tem- 

 perature of the^medium into which the coil is plunged 

 the vital energy is strongly excited, and the speedy 

 emission of vigorous roots is the natural consequence; 

 the more slow and gradual the evolution of the buds 

 the better : and here is rather a critical point, viz., the 

 proper time for disbudding ; if delayed too long, too 

 great a surface for respiration and transpiration is ex- 

 posed for the yet limited absorbing powers of the 

 young roots, and if performed too soon the action of 

 the system is paralysed. Upon examining the pots, 

 should abundance of rootlets be found, the atmos- 

 pheric temperature must be raised by degrees, as with 

 established vines. The moss must not be removed 

 until the fruit is set, and then all is safe. {Ibid. 

 1841, 749.) 



Bij Layers. — Mr. "W. Stothard, gardener at Chan- 

 trey House, in 1841, gives these directions : — When 

 the vines that are let into the house have reached the 

 top of the rafters, instead of stopping the leading 

 shoot, as is commonly done, and often too soon, which 

 causes the eyes to burst, and renders them useless for 

 the succeeding year, turn the shoot back, and having 

 ready a pot of suitable size, well drained and filled 

 with fresh turfy loam and rotted dung, in equal 

 parts ; place it upon the back shelf or wall of the pit, 

 and as soon as the young shoot has attained a suffi- 



