34 THE FRUITING YEAR. 



be stopped every time they start beyond one joint. 

 Vines started as early as these have been will be nearly 

 ripe by the end of July, and at that date the laterals 

 on the young wood that is to bear fruit the following 

 year should be cut off close to the base of the stalk 

 of the leaf that springs from the leading rod ; but 

 this leaf itself should be carefully preserved, as it will 

 still be of service in laying up sap to plump the 

 fruit-bud for next year. The house may now have 

 abundance of air night and day, till the leaves become 

 yellow and fall off in September, when the laterals 

 on the previous year's wood may be cut back to an 

 eye that will be found at the base of the said lateral, 

 where it springs from the parent stem. The leaves 

 should all be cleared off now, the rods cut back to 

 8 feet, and any loose bark on the previous year's wood 

 removed ; after which give them a good wash with 

 tepid water and a little soap, and then paint with the 

 same mixture as recommended for the previous year. 

 At this season every part of the interior walls of 

 the vinery should be washed with hot lime white-wash, 

 with a little sulphur stirred in it, and all the woodwork 

 and glass cleaned thoroughly with soap and water, well 

 dashed into every corner. 



THE FRUITING YEAR. 



Vines prepared as has been recommended may be 

 started on the 1st of January the third year. My 

 practice with vines of this description is to collect as 

 many oak leaves as will make a heap 3 feet deep 

 on the vinery floor, where they soon become hot, and 



