CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 



289 



left open night and day. By the month of December the wood will 

 have thoroughly ripened, the leaves have fallen, and the buds in the 

 axils of them have fully developed. 



At this period it is necessary, strange though it may seem, to cut 

 down the Vine cane that probably has reached half-way up the roof of 

 the house to within two good buds of its base, i.e. usually about two 

 or three inches above ground. The object of this operation is to estab- 

 lish the Vine well before allowing it to bear fruit, and also to enable it 

 to form a good, strong stem. It is evident that if the first year's cane 

 were left half or the whole of its length, and the following year side 

 shoots were allowed to develop, both the former and the latter would 

 be very weak. Keep the vinery 

 quite cool until the first week in 

 April, when it may be closed. No 

 fire heat is necessary, except in 

 very cold weather. 



A night temperature of 50 

 degrees is sufficient for the first 

 few weeks. When the thermo- 

 meter registers 65 degrees during 

 the day the top ventilators should 

 be opened two or three inches, 

 and if the sun continues to shine 

 more air, both at the top and front 

 of the vinery, must be given in the 

 course of an hour or so. Syringe 

 the pathways and walks of the 

 house occasionally, especially when 

 the ventilators are closed in the 

 afternoon. The thermometer then 

 may register as high as 80 degrees 

 without any danger. Taking ad- 

 vantage of the heat of the sun in 

 this way lessens the need of so 

 much fire heat, and is far better for PO T VINE. 

 the Vines. A house that is thus 

 thoroughly warmed by the sun 



will not fall below 50 degrees during the night unless it is exceptionally 

 cold outside. In a month's time from closing the vinery increase the 

 night temperature to 55 degrees, and a few weeks afterwards to 60 

 degrees, at which it may remain throughout the growing season. Cut 

 back to one leaf all side shoots that make their appearance during 

 summer, so that every opportunity of making good growth may be given 

 to the main rod. When in early autumn signs of ripening are notice- 

 able in the wood more air must be given and less moisture, as before 

 advised. It will thus be seen that during the first two seasons after 

 planting the Vine is not at all difficult to manage. It may thus be 

 summarised : During the growing season, from April to August, pro- 

 vide a warm, moist atmosphere, and be careful to see that the border is 



I 



AS IT SHOULD BE PREPARED 

 FOR PLANTING 



