CULTURE OF THE VINE. 27 



between each, to ensure their easier removal when struck. 

 Cover them over to the depth of half an inch with the same 

 light compost as used immediately under them . Place the pot 

 containing the eyes in a frame, pit, or other suitable structure, 

 plunged into a bottom-heat of not less than eighty degrees, 

 nor above ninety degrees, with a surface-heat of at least 

 seventy degrees. They will soon emit roots, and the buds 

 also will quickly make their appearance ; and at this stage a 

 little water will be highly beneficial. When they have grown 

 to the height of two or three inches, pot them singly into 

 sixty-sized pots, taking the utmost care when doing so not 

 to injure them. In addition to loam, leaf-mould and sand, a 

 little well decomposed stable-manure will tend much, even at 

 this early stage of their growth, to strengthen and give vigour 

 both to the roots and shoots. Place them again in a good 

 bottom-heat, being careful to maintain a sweet and pure 

 atmosphere ; occasionally a little water will be necessary, but 

 keep them rather dry than otherwise. As soon as the pots are 

 filled with roots, repot them into thirty-two-sized ones, using 

 at this potting a greater portion of decomposed manure, and 

 so much the less of vegetable mould. Put them, when potted, 

 into a vinery, or other convenient house, where a temperature 

 of from seventy to eighty degrees is maintained. Place the 

 pots on shelves, and as near the glass as practicable. The 

 great object to be observed is to keep them in a free growing 

 state, air being a most essential point, which* ought to be 

 admitted freely, but, of course, not depressing the internal 

 heat below -the previous given standard. 



When these plants are fully furnished with roots, transplant 

 them finally into a No. 8 size. For this potting use a com- 

 post as follows : Let one half consist of the surface spit from 

 old pasture, chopped into pieces of about two inches square. 

 Let the other half be well-rotted farmyard manure, which, 

 previous to being mixed with the mould, should be turned 

 over frequently, adding to it a little quick-lime, to destroy 



