60 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



started, which will be within three, or at most four weeks 

 from the time they were put in the bed. Light, floury 

 pasture-loam, with an addition of one-sixth of sand, 

 and a double quantity of thoroughly decomposed stable- 

 manure, will make a good compost. The young plants 

 will not require the richer addition of bone-dust at this 

 stage. Pots the inside diameter of which at the top is 

 three inches will be sufficiently large for the first potting. 

 When the vines are well established, the pots being well 

 filled with roots, with a top-growth of from six inches 

 to a foot, take out the temporary tables of the succes- 

 sion-houses, which are made of boards and are easily re- 

 moved, and plant the vines in the prepared border below. 

 This border is two feet below the gutter, which will se- 

 cure sufficient head-room for the vines for at least a growth 

 of six weeks. The house being kept warm and humid, the 

 vines will soon become established, and will make rapid 

 growth. At mid-day, when the air is dry, dust flour of 

 sulphur over the plants to prevent the possibility of an 

 attack of mildew. An ounce for prevention is better than 

 pounds for cure. The borders are farther from the glass 

 than is desirable for so small plants ; but by careful man- 

 agement, and encouraging the warmth of the sun upon 

 the borders, no serious difficulty will attend the establish- 



