310 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



pines are an object, a number of the earliest and most likely 

 to start should now be subjected to a temperature of 70 at 

 night, with 8 or 10 more when there is a blink of sun by 

 day, the bottom-heat to be kept ranging from 85 to 90. 

 They will be dry at the root, and require to be watered, after 

 being a few days in the temperature named. Keep the at- 

 mosphere generally moist, but not to such an extent as will 

 cause condensed moisture to fall into the centre of the plants. 

 The remainder of the next season's fruiting-plants may still 

 be kept rather dry, and at a temperature ranging from 55 to 

 60 for the present. Continue to supply to those swelling 

 their fruit a rather moist atmosphere, a temperature of 70 in 

 the air and 85 at the root. Examine the individual plants 

 weekly, and water those that require it, so as to keep the 

 soil in a moderately moist condition. Pot suckers on stools 

 from which the fruit have recently been cut, and plunge in 

 a brisk bottom-heat and temperature of 65, in a light pit ; 

 they will soon root, and make fine plants for shifting as a 

 succession to those potted six or seven weeks ago. If these 

 are strong, and potted now into 6 and 7 inch well-drained 

 pots, according to their size, they will grow in these till May, 

 and can then be shifted at once into their fruiting -pots. 

 Where there are what I shall term half-sized plants that is, 

 plants in 8-inch pots well rooted, I would have no hesita- 

 tion in shifting them after the middle of the month into 11- 

 inch pots ; and pushing them on, plunged thinly in a light 

 place, with the view of fruiting them next year. 



Grapes. Continue to keep a strict watch on all grapes 

 that are still hanging. As soon as the early-started vines 

 fairly burst their buds, raise the temperature a few degrees, 

 and when the young growths are half an inch long raise the 

 night temperature to 60, and that of the day to 65 in mild 

 weather. Pot-vines that are required very early may have a 

 degree or two more, but it is far safest not to force too hur- 

 riedly, while the days are so short, cold, and dull ; but to get 



