10 A TREATISE ON THE 



commencing forcing them. Always bear in mind that five 

 clear months must be allowed to bring the fruit to maturity. 

 Therefore, supposing the grapes are required for consumption 

 on the 1 st of July, forcing must, of course, be commenced on 

 the 1st of February ; and the first thing to be done with the 

 vines will be to wash the rods with the following mixture, 

 viz. : To three quarts of rain-water add two ounces of soft- 

 soap, four ounces of sulphur, and two ounces of tobacco ; boil 

 all well together for half an hour, and when cold it is fit for 

 use. After applying this wash to the vines, replace the upright 

 sashes on the outer wall, and carefully train the vines on the 

 wires as heretofore. Much diversity of opinion exists as to 

 the best method of protecting the border during the period of 

 forcing, and almost endless are the opinions entertained, and 

 methods adopted, to carry out the desired object. After much 

 observation, added to practical experience on many different 

 plans, I have found the following to answer best : Before any 

 internal heat is applied to the vines, proceed with the border 

 as follows. Leaves of hard-wooded forest-trees, such as oak, 

 beech, &c., which have been previously collected in a large heap 

 and well trampled together, will soon become heated, and 

 settle into solid masses. In using these leaves, take from the 

 centre of the heap those that are the driest and most firmly 

 cemented together, and in as large pieces as possible, and from 

 four to six inches thick. Begin by forking the surface of the 

 border lightly over, and when the earth is thus loosened, the 

 masses of leaves should be laid entirely over the border, 

 lapping one over the other, on the same principle as the roof 

 of a house is slated, for the purpose of preventing the rain 

 penetrating. Over the solid pieces of leaves add six inches of 

 dry loose ones, and on the top of them one or two inches of 

 fine mould, to prevent the wind from blowing the leaves about, 

 as well as to give a clean and neat appearance. The tem- 

 perature for the first fortnight or three weeks, during the night, 

 should not exceed from fifty to fifty-five degrees, allowing an 



