7 l .<& 



ON VINERIES. 



m 



well outside ; ' but perhaps after watering is finished, rain 

 comes down in torrents, which may continue for some 

 days, or even weeks, while root action begins with renewed 

 vigour; and what is the consequence? The bunches 

 begin to grow very rapidly, and the berries swell to 

 a great size. The cultivator is led to believe he is 

 going to have marvellous fruit; but by and by he dis- 

 covers he is mistaken. The fruit is fine in berry, but 

 red when it should be black, full of water, and not suffi- 

 cient sugar and flavour in it to make it fit for table. 

 It is difficult for some to guard against the two ex- 

 tremes. The question then comes to be, What is the 

 next best thing to do 1 Those who have the means may 

 have glass lights for their borders. I have seen Mr. 

 Speed of Chatsworth use roofing-tiles with good results; 

 Mr. Hill of Keele and many others use wooden shutters, 

 which are much cheaper; but these deprive the borders 

 of the light and warm sunshine, unless they are lifted 

 off (which can easily be done) when it is warm in the 

 middle of the day. Sashes are, no doubt, the cheapest 

 and most useful, as they can be used for frames when 

 not required for the borders. 



I have occasionally found that fermenting leaves and 

 manure, when applied" to the surface of the vine 

 borders, have generated fungus, especially if left too 

 long without being turned over. The pest may thus get 



down to the roots, and throw the plants into a bad 



22 



I 



