266 TREATMENT OF THE 



Vines are pruned, let those that are long 

 enough to admit of it, be loosened from the 

 rafters, and be tied along the front of the 

 house, as near to the bottom of the sashes as 

 possible; also if there be Vines trained up 

 against the back wall, they must be brought 

 down as much as possible to an horizontal 

 position. 



The border outside the house (as far as it 

 is judged the roots of the Vines extend) must 

 be covered with rotted tanner's bark or lit- 

 tery manure; but previously to laying this 

 upon the border, loosen the soil to the depth 

 of two or three inches, but not more. The 

 mulch thus laid must remain upon the border 

 until the latter end of May, when it may be 

 removed. 



The advantage of having recourse to this 

 practice is, that those roots which run near 

 the surface are protected and preserved from 

 injury by frost. And when the forcing is 

 commenced it is of great importance, in order 

 that the roots may be as much as possible in 

 a natural proportion of temperature with 

 that part of the Vine inside the house. No 

 fire must afterwards be admitted into the 

 front flue until spring; but if there are other 

 plants in the house which require to be pre- 

 served from frost, a little fire heat may be 

 permitted in the back flue for that purpose; 

 where it can conveniently be done, it is the 



