304 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



other day when the weather is bright. See that no check 

 is allowed from want of water at the root. Keep the 

 bottom - heat at 85. Suckers of Smooth Cayennes and 

 other autumn and winter fruiting sorts can be taken off and 

 potted as they become large enough. They will root and 

 establish themselves before winter, and will not be so likely 

 to become drawn as when left to grow on the parent plant. 



Vines. Look over all grapes that have been ripe for some 

 time two or three times a-week, and wherever a mouldy berry 

 appears remove it at once, 'before it taints others. Keep 

 everything about them as dry as possible by occasional fires, 

 and a free circulation of air on fine days. Keep vines from 

 which the fruit is all cut cool and well aired, unless in cases 

 where the wood is not perfectly ripened, which should be 

 fired till it is perfectly brown and hard. Vines planted this 

 year, and that have continued to grow till now, should be 

 ripened forthwith by the application of a little extra fire- 

 heat, and, if at all crowded, by the removal of some of the 

 lateral growth, to allow a free play of light and air about all 

 their parts. Vines from which grapes are to be ripened early 

 next year should be pruned immediately. Eemove all loose 

 bark from their stems, but avoid the " scraping-to-the-quick " 

 system. If there has been any spider on them this season, 

 scrub them with a hard brush and water, and then coat them 

 with the mixture recommended. Thoroughly clean all the 

 wood and glass, remove the surface-soil, and replace it with 

 fresh, so that all may be in readiness to start forcing next 

 month. If pot-vines have been standing outdoors, remove 

 them to some place where their roots can be protected from 

 heavy rains. Where very early grapes are required, the 

 earliest of these may be started towards the middle or end 

 of the month ; and if they can be plunged in bottom-heat, 

 they will start into growth sooner. If they have been cut 

 or pruned in any way, dress the wounds twice over with 

 styptic, or they will be apt to bleed. Put a few more into 



