jj 2 PRACTICE OF GARDENING. PART III. 



tofore, in order to give the fruit flavor; for on this, and on the withholding of water, as advised above, 

 that matter entire depends." (Kal.) 



3022. A dry atmosphere for vines is strongly recommended by Williams (Hort. Trans, i.), because in it 

 " the wood, though of slower growth, is more compact, and the fruit more saccharine. Hence vines grow- 

 ing on the sides of mountains in the south of Europe, and in the dry warm province of La Mancha in 

 Spain, yield richer grapes, and make stronger wine, than when cultivated in the neighboring valleys, 

 where, however, they experience greater warmth, and the fruit arrives sooner at maturity. From the be- 

 ginning of July till the middle of October, he generally leaves several of the upper lights of his vinery open 

 about two or three inches all night" 



3023. Watering and steaming. Abercrombie says, vines require a plentiful supply of 

 water from the time the fruit is well set till it begins to color, particularly when the ber- 

 ries become transparent at the last swelling. Withhold water entirely when the grapes 

 approach maturity. 



3024. M'Phail says, " If the vines be planted in the inside of the house, care should be taken to keep 

 them sufficiently watered, and in dry weather, in the spring and summer, the border in the outside of the 

 house in which the roots of the vines run, should get plentiful waterings. In order to keep the leaves and 

 fruit clean, let the plants be washed occasionally with clean water, thrown on them by a tin squirt or en- 

 gine, but take care that the decaying paint on the rafters be not washed down on the leaves and fruit, 

 which would stain and hurt them. Should there be any danger of that, it will answer the purpose fully as 

 well by filling the house full of steam now and then, by sprinkling water on the flues when they are warm." 

 Alluding to the first stage of early forcing, the same author observes : " In some houses, the border, or 

 part of the border in which the vine is planted, is in the inside of the house ; where that is the case, let it 

 be watered and sprinkled now and then to keep it in a moist state. Water the flues sometimes when they 

 are hot, which will produce a fine steam, very beneficial to the plants in promoting their growth, and in 

 preventing them from being infested by the red spider. Steam, however, should not be used too copiously. 

 If the border for the vines be in the house, or if there be plenty ?f plants in pots of earth in it, the evapor- 

 ation arising from the moist earth is generally sufficient to moisten the air properly ; and besides, there is 

 a continual draught of external air coming into the house among the plants ; and it is known that the 

 common atmosphere contains moisture at all times, especially in cold weather, when the ground is full of 

 rain from the clouds." In March, the fruit being set and swelling, he says, " Water the borders in the 

 house, and sprinkle them and the flues now and then with sweet clean water. If this be attended to, and 

 air given in fine days, the house will be kept in a sweet state. The vines may sometimes be watered all 

 over; but if this kind of watering is practised, it should be done carefully; for I have seen grapes much 

 hurt with the decaying paint having been driven from the rafters and other parts of the house on them, 

 by the force of the water. If the paths, flues, and borders in the house be sprinkled and watered occa- 

 sionally as I have directed, grape-vines will do without giving them water over their leaves and fruit, at 

 this season of the year ; though I by no means disapprove of washing them well, now and then, all over, 



leaves and fruit : provided it be done with clean water, and no filth driven on them from any part of the 

 house." From the time that grapes are swelled to a size that you can hardly perceive them to grow 

 larger, till the black sorts begin to change color, and the white ones to appear of a more bright color than 

 at an earlier period of their swelling, let the borders be watered plentifully, and the flues sprinkled now and 

 then with clean water. The border outside the house may, probably, in the summer months, require a 

 good watering now then. (G. Item.) 



3025. Nicol, after the commencement of forcing, " has the border duly and freely refreshed with water, 

 generally once in two or three days ; and if occasionally watered with the drainings of the dunghill, it 

 would add much to the vigor of the plants. The branches should be watered once in two days by the en- 

 gine, with a considerable degree of force, in order to keep the plants clean, and prevent the breeding of the 

 red spider and thrips, which are often very troublesome in the grape-house." As vines advance in growth, 

 " they must be liberally supplied with water. The vine, when in a free-growing state, requires more water 

 than is generally imagined ; and many, very many gardeners, half ruin their plants, and very much injure 

 their crops of fruit by withholding this element. I know some who do not give as much water to a vinery 

 in a whole season as it ought to have in a month. But what is the consequence ? Wood as large as wheat- 

 straw, and berries the size of garden-peas !" Increase the supplies of water with the advances of the season 

 and growth of the plants. " As the fruit begin to color and swell off for ripening, the quantity of water, 

 hitherto liberally given, must be lessened by degrees ; and, towards its coming to full maturity, must be 

 entirely withheld, that it be not rendered insipid. The operations of the engine on the foliage must also 

 cease ; but previously, be particularly severe, and be careful to scourge it well, that no vestige of the red 

 spider be left. This is a matter of very great importance, and but too little attended to : and for want of 

 taking this care, I have more than once seen a whole crop of grapes very much spoiled, and the berries ren- 

 dered dirty, nauseous, and bitter." 



3026. Ripening the wood. Abercrombie directs, " If the fruit be not off by the middle 

 of August, the continuation of fine dry weather, or of the heat dependent on the natural 

 climate, will hardly be sufficient to ripen the wood ; and therefore, as soon as the external 

 air declines to 68, resume gentle fires, morning and evening, so as to keep the minimum 

 temperature of the house to 70. The maximum need not exceed 75 in sunshine ; for 

 fresh air should circulate at every proper opportunity. Proceed thus until the shoots of 

 the season have ceased to grow, and turn brownish at bottom, and the leaves begin to, fall, 

 indications that the wood is ripe, when the first and last are not caused by a deficiency of 

 heat." He adds, " If the weather continues warm after the fruit is cut, take off the 

 glass frames ; as the shoots will ripen the better under full exposure to it. In October, 

 however, it will be advisable again to put on the frames, as well by shelter to assist the 

 ripening of the wood, if that is not complete, as to protect the house from injury, when 

 rough wintry weather may be expected." 



3027. Nicol says, " If the lower part of the shoots be not, by the beginning of August, turning brownish, 

 then it is advisable to apply a little fire-heat, in order to further the growth of the plants, and the perfec- 

 tion of the wood. Some would put this matter off, perhaps another month ; but if the application of fire- 

 heat be at all necessary, less trouble and expense for fuel will attend the process of ripening the shoots in 

 September than in October. Another consideration is, that, as it were, you take up vegetation on the way, 

 and hand her forward to the end of her journey, instead of allowing her to lag behind, and then forcibly 

 push her on against her inclinations ; a matter of the very first consideration and importance in every 

 species of horticulture. Let very moderate fires be made at first, increasing their strength as the season 

 advances, and so as tor keep the temperature, mornings and evenings, at about 70. This should be con- 

 tinued till the growth of the plants begin to stop, and till the part of the leading shoots whereat you would 



