106 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



there to be exposed to the air we breathe and undergo 

 change, and be diffused through the system for its 

 nourishment, so is the sap in the vine sent up to the 

 leavesj there to undergo change, and be made fit for 

 plant-nourishment. And injury to the lungs does not 

 more certainly lead to debility in the animal, than 

 does the premature destruction of the foliage to the 

 vine or any other plant. 



Early forcing, especially when the roots are in a 

 cold ill -drained border, is most injurious to vines ; 

 and when the principal cause of exhaustion is from 

 a cold ill-drained soil, and where they are otherwise 

 in such a condition that good results might be ex- 

 pected from them if in a more congenial border 

 the best way is to clear away the whole soil, disen- 

 tangling and saving every root that can be saved, to 

 make the drainage effectual, and make a new border, 

 carefully planting the vines again. The best time for 

 this operation is in autumn after the grapes are cut, 

 while the vines are still in leaf and able to make fresh 

 roots. Supposing the vines have roots in both out- 

 side and inside borders, the one -should be renewed 

 one year and the other the next. When the oper- 

 ation commences, shade the roof with canvas ; and 

 after the roots are laid in the fresh soil, give a good 

 watering at 120, and cover up the border with dry 

 litter to retain the heat. In 1856 I lifted a house of 

 vines, as thus recommended, the first week in October 

 only the whole instead of half the roots were 

 lifted and by the end of July 1857 cut a fair crop 

 of grapes from them. And in December of 1858 I 

 lifted a vine after it had been three years planted, and 

 planted it in another vinery in which I had previously 

 commenced the forcing of pot-vines, and it ripened 



