CULTURE OF THE VINE. 7 



it will be necessary to stop its further progress by pinching it 

 off, and, provided it is in as vigorous a state as it ought to be 

 at this period, it will very shortly throw out a lateral branch 

 at the bud nearest the extreme end, where it has so recently 

 been stopped, which lateral branch must be allowed to grow 

 until it has attained the length of twelve or fourteen inches ; 

 then it should be stopped, by taking a joint off at the point, 

 as recommended in the case of the principal shoot. It may 

 be necessary to inform the uninitiated of the object of this 

 process. I will, therefore, endeavour to explain it. 



The crop of the next season entirely depends upon the buds 

 along the rod remaining in a quiescent state, and the only 

 means of keeping them so is the encouragement given to the 

 sap to flow freely to the part to which the lateral branches or 

 buds are proceeding, and thus preventing the buds from being 

 prematurely excited. There will also be either a direct or 

 lateral shoot thrown out from the base of these important 

 buds, but they must not on any account be permitted to make 

 much increase ; and, in order to prevent it, stop them beyond 

 the first joint, and this must be repeatedly done if their growth 

 should render it necessary : and the same rule must be ob- 

 served with the lateral shoots at the end of the vine also. 



In proceeding with the culture of the young vines, only 

 moderate heat, merely acting as a little assistance to nature, 

 will be required. Therefore, a temperature not exceeding 

 sixty degrees during the night, and ranging from seventy to 

 eighty degrees in the day, will be sufficient during the whole 

 period of their growth. At this time, the frequent use of the 

 syringe in the evenings will be very beneficial. Take care, 

 however, to admit air early in the mornings, in order to allow 

 any excess of moisture to escape, and also to prevent the 

 tender foliage being scorched by the rays of the sun. 



In order to encourage the free rooting of the vines, let the 

 border be occasionally forked over, to the depth of an inch 

 or two. Be most cautious, however, in doing it, to avoid 



