190 buist's family kitchen gap.dener. 



entirely shaded from tlic sun, and had to struggle for weeks or 

 months before they reached the full light and air. In such a 

 case it is preferable to grow the plants in pots, till they are the 

 required height. The first season's growth should be confined 

 to one stem only, carefully cutting off all lateral shoots within 

 two eyes of the main stem. 



Winter. Pruning. — This subject is extensively treated on 

 by all writers on the vine, in the horticulture of Great Britain ; 

 and those who have undertaken the subject in this country ap- 

 pear to adopt their words. It may do in some soils and lati- 

 tudes, but when put in practice here, many of the eyes intended 

 for fruiting the coming season start to growth. The error we 

 will take the liberty to point out. In the preceding paragraph 

 we advise the first season's growth to be confined to one stem ; 

 this having been done, cut this shoot down to the bottom of the 

 glass, and allow two shoots to grow from it the next season, 

 and take one bunch of fruit from the strongest shoot, if it 

 shows any. These shoots are to be trained as far as they will 

 grow. Writers say, '• top them when one-third, or at farthest, 

 half-way up the rafter :" if this is done in our climate, and the 

 vines in strong health, one-half of the eyes below the stoppings 

 will grow at once, ruining the vine for one year. ■ Our climate 

 elaborates the juices of the plant so fully that a stoppage of its 

 growth has two results, viz. — either destroying the roots or 

 causing a greater reproduction of wood ; which in this case is a 

 decided injury. The next Winter cut the weakest shoot to 

 about one eye from the previous year's wood ; and the strong- 

 est lay in two or three feet of the past season's growth. This 

 portion will have ten or twelve eyes, all of which will break and 

 produce fruit. Take only one bunch from each eye ; the other 

 shoot allow to grow its full length without fruit during the sea- 

 son. The next Winter cut back the strong shoot that has pro- 

 duced the large crop to within two eyes of the old wood, and 

 allow one shoot to grow therefrom. The strong shoot is to be 



