288 



GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



well as possible. If the mass of soil and roots be left intact, as taken 

 from the pot, it is likely to become dry, and the roots also cannot 

 push into the new soil when they are matted and twisted together. 

 Arrange the roots, as far as possible, in different layers, placing them 

 out carefully in a horizontal direction. After covering over one layer 

 with soil, make this firm before placing on the next. The uppermost 

 roots may easily be kept back until required by turning them upwards 

 to the stem ; keep them down by means of pieces of turf. 



Do not plant the Vines (supposing the border to be inside) within 

 eighteen inches of the hot-water pipes, and, if planted outside, place 

 them as near to the wall of the vinery as possible. It is a mistake to 

 have much of the stem exposed. 



During cold weather, straw, or some other material, should be put over 

 the base of the stem outside, or the Vine, if growing or carrying a crop of 

 fruit, would suffer severely. The distance apart at 

 which Vines should be planted depends largely upon 

 the variety (for some are much stronger in growth 

 than others), and also whether it is intended to force 

 them early in the season or allow them to start 

 naturally. For the more vigorous ones, such as 

 Alicante, Gros Guillaume, and Syrian, a space of 

 three feet six inches or four feet between each is 

 necessary, while Foster's Seedling, Black Hamburgh, 

 and Lady Downe's Seedling, do not require more 

 than three feet. When hard forcing is practised 

 for a supply of early Grapes, the Vines will be 

 wide enough apart at two feet six inches. 



Always make sure that the Vines are thoroughly 

 well watered before being taken out of the pots. If 

 dry when planted, it is difficult to water them pro- 

 perly afterwards. Instead of running through the 

 hard mass of soil and roots, the water makes its way 

 into the more porous border, leaving the former 

 quite dry, although this perhaps may not be found 

 out until the plant begins to suffer. 



Treatment after Planting. Encourage the 



Vines to grow vigorously, as that means they quickly become established. 

 On sunny days the ventilators may be opened fairly wide several inches 

 both on the top and also at the front of the house. About three o'clock, 

 however, they should be altogether closed. The temperature of the vinery 

 will then naturally increase, and if, at the same time, the Vines are syringed 

 and the walls and floors moistened, a genial atmosphere most favourable 

 to growth will result. Towards the end of summer the wood of the 

 Vine begins to turn a yellowish-white. This is a sign that growth has 

 practically ceased, and that the ripening or maturation of the wood has 

 begun. It is clear, therefore, that to still maintain a warm, moist 

 atmosphere so conducive to growth would be useless. More air and 

 less heat and moisture should now be given gradually, until in a few 

 weeks' time the vinery is kept completely cool, the ventilators being 



POT VINE AS IT AP- 

 PEARS WHEN RE- 

 MOVED FROM THE 

 POT 



