CALENDAR. 2/9 



grow more freely. Avoid in all pine-houses cold draughts as 

 much as possible. 



Vines. Early crops that have finished the stoning process, 

 and that are required to ripen as early as possible, may be 

 encouraged forward more freely with an advance of tempera- 

 ture to 70 in mild weather ; but if cold east winds prevail, 

 and the days be sunless, it is better to force more gently, 

 taking advantage of bright suns to shut up early, and hus- 

 band heat for the night with the least possible amount of 

 fire-heat compatible with the temperature required. As soon 

 as colouring begins, give air a little more freely and decrease 

 the moisture. The increase and decrease of these elements 

 should never be sudden, but gradual. A small amount of air 

 left on at night is favourable to good colour. If the early 

 crop is from vines in pots, a constant watch must be kept to 

 prevent their suffering from either a deficiency or super- 

 abundance of water. Discontinue watering with manure- 

 water when colouring commences. Attend to all vines in 

 late stages, by timely stopping, thinning, and tying down 

 shoots. Examine inside borders, and keep them moderately 

 moist with water at a temperature 8 or 10 more than that 

 of the atmosphere. Where there are still late grapes hanging 

 in small quantities, it is desirable, for many reasons, to cut 

 them, and keep them in a dry fruit-room. As soon as they 

 are all cut, lose no time in pruning and dressing the vines. 

 Then the house can be kept cool and well aired for a month 

 at least before they begin to grow. This is a good time to 

 complete making new vine-borders and planting young vines, 

 though it can be successfully done till midsummer. 



Peaches. If the weather be cold and sunless, force with 

 the same caution recommended last month. To force peaches 

 at a high temperature by dint of hard forcing is never safe, 

 far less so till after the stoning stage. Do not exceed 55 to 

 60 at night, until they begin to take their second swelling ; 

 then, if the fruit are required early, the heat may range to 



