CHAP. IT. DESSERT FRUITS. 215 



young plant. It will be of course at a sacrifice of all fruit for the 

 first season, but the gain a year or two after will be immense. 



The cultivation of the Grape-vine in this country is conducted 

 all but in the same way as that adopted with the Peach. In 

 October, when the Bains are fully over, the soil is removed from 

 the roots, and they are allowed to remain bare a month or two. 

 By this time the leaves will have fallen, and the trees should 

 then be primed. In the beginning of February, just before the 

 vines put forth their new shoots and blossom, fill in over the 

 roots any description of rich manure that can be obtained, 

 although perhaps nothing can be better than old cow-manure. 

 Fish, when obtainable, is strongly recommended. A compost 

 which I have found excellent for manuring vines is made thus : 



A large deep hole is dug in the earth, into which plenty of 

 fresh cow-dung is thrown. A quantity of oilcake (khurree) is 

 boiled in an earthen pot over the fire till dissolved. This, with 

 an equal quantity of molasses (goor) and a small portion of lime, 

 is thrown into the hole containing the cow-dung, and well stirred 

 up. The hole is then covered over and allowed to remain so a 

 month or two, only being opened occasionally for stirring up the 

 contents. This compost must be applied to the roots of the 

 vines. It has a most offensive smell ; but if earth be thrown 

 over it fresh earth, and not the old soil that had been removed 

 the bad smell will soon pass off. 



From the time the fruit sets, and as it increases in size, water 

 should be given to the roots constantly and in great abundance. 

 When the Grapes are just about ripening, irrigation should be 

 discontinued entirely. 



It is a matter of consequence that the ripening take place 

 before the approach of the Rains, or the fruit under the influence 

 of much wet becomes liable to burst. 



Mr. L. Berkeley had vines in his glass conservatory at Lahore ; 

 and by thus protecting his Grapes, told me he was enabled to 

 preserve them a much longer time than he could otherwise 

 have done. 



The vine is readily propagated by cuttings. 



These are best made, perhaps, and put down at the time of 

 the annual pruning at the end of November. They should be 

 laid slanting-wise in the soil, with about two buds above the 

 surface, and the earth well pressed upon them. 



