6 A TREATISE ON THE 



placed much closer to it, but the consequences arising from 

 the practice are highly injurious to the vines. It matters not 

 what sort of glass maybe used, for the same objection exists 

 to a closer proximity, as the leaves in their growth soon come 

 into immediate contact with it, and are consequently scorched, 

 and the evils produced thereby will soon become obvious and 

 multiplied. In the first place, the injury thus inflicted checks 

 the sap, and prevents it performing its proper functions; 

 secondly, every injured part not only harbours insects, but 

 very frequently engenders red spider and thrip, whereas, when 

 the vines are trained at the distance before named, a free 

 circulation of air passes between them and the glass, preserving 

 the foliage in a healthy and vigorous state, and in every way 

 assisting nature in the performance of her mysterious duty. 



Towards the end of March or the beginning of April the sap 

 will, without artificial heat, begin to circulate through the 

 newly-planted vines, and the buds will then of course be 

 immediately put forth, all of which must be removed with the 

 exception of the two leading ones, and the safest mode of doing 

 it is by pressure between the finger and thumb, as the use of 

 the knife would, at this early stage, cause them to bleed. 

 When the two reserved buds have broken, and grown a foot or 

 rather more in length, cut off the weakest, thus leaving only 

 one shoot to each vine. And here it may be as well to remark, 

 for the information of the learner, that this shoot will in due 

 time become a part of the bearing-stem ; consequently, as it 

 progresses, great attention must be paid to tie it in regularly 

 and carefully, and every precaution must be taken to prevent 

 its being bruised or broken, either by handling it roughly, 

 or tying it too tightly. In the latter case, be sure to give 

 plenty of room for expansion. The matting used for the 

 purpose should never be drawn tight, as, by doing so, if the 

 brittle shoot is not broken by it, the circulation of the sap will 

 be obstructed, which is an evil to be carefully avoided. When 

 the shoot is grown long enough to reach the top of the house, 



