THE GRAFE VINE. 91 



at the 1st of January generally ripen their crop from 

 the middle to the end of June. The following year 

 forcing may commence three weeks earlier, and so on, 

 till, if required, the forcing may begin in November, 

 to ripen the crop in April. 



In starting young strong canes early, there is much 

 more difficulty in getting them to break regularly 

 than there is with weaker or older vines ; and to 

 prevent their breaking and growing at the top before 

 the bottom buds start, fix the vines to the lower 

 wires only, and bring down their tops semicircle form 

 to near the floor of the house, where the temperature 

 is lowest. In this position allow them to remain till 

 they have burst into growth over their whole length. 



The good old system of putting a bed of leaves on 

 the inside border is a great assistance in getting the 

 vines to break regularly and strong. By turning a 

 portion of the warm leaves over at intervals, they 

 give heat and moisture sufficient to the air for the 

 first fortnight, and throw some warmth into the soil 

 besides. There is much difference of opinion as to 

 the utility of heating vine-borders from beneath by 

 means of hot -water pipes, but for very early forcing 

 there can be no doubt it is of great service when 

 judiciously applied. That vines started in November 

 or any of the winter months start earlier and more 

 strongly in borders heated from beneath, has been 

 abundantly proved ; and where such a means exists, 

 it should be applied to raise the temperature of the 

 soil at the commencement of forcing to say 60. 

 When vines that have a portion of their roots in 

 outside borders have to be started before March, they 

 should be covered in October with fern-leaves or straw, 

 so that the heat may be retained in the soil, and to 



