1030 



Gardening for Amateurs 



until the available space, say 12 to 15 feet, 

 is filled. An inside border (i.e. under glass) 

 is best for early Grapes, and one partly 

 inside and partly outside for midsummer and 

 later crops, but the latter are quite satisfac- 

 tory in borders that are outside altogether. 



Black Hambro' Grapes in an amateur's greenhouse. 



Planting. This may be done at any time 

 from October to March, whilst the Vines are 

 dormant, but the best time is about the first 

 week in November. A Vine in a 9-inch pot 

 is the best to procure. Turn it out of the 

 pot and shake away all soil from its roots, 

 slightly shorten the latter, and spread them 

 out some 4 or 5 inches below the surface. 

 Fill the spaces between the roots with soil, 

 make it firm, finally filling the space and 

 treading the soil down well. Shorten the 



young Vine by half its length, and support 

 it by a stake. 



A week or two before Christmas cut down 

 the stem to within two buds of its base. In 

 spring, when the buds break into leaf rub off 

 the weaker shoot and take great care of the 

 other, for it will form the stem 

 of the Vine. Train this stem 

 to the lower side of the wire 

 trellis- work as it progresses. 

 When, in July, it is about 

 8 feet in length it must be 

 " stopped " ; this is done by 

 pinching off the top. The 

 object of this is to thicken 

 the cane and assist in the 

 formation of plump buds. 

 Side shoots will form, and 

 these in turn are " stopped " 

 at the end of the third leaf, 

 similar treatment being given 

 to others that appear. 



General Hints. - - If the 

 vinery is unheated the Vine 

 will, of coiirse, not start into 

 growth until the glasshouse 

 becomes warm naturally, say 

 late in February. Even if it 

 is heated artificially the Vine 

 must be allowed to start in- 

 to growth gradually, merely 

 closing the ventilators at night 

 and admitting a little air 

 during the day. The best 

 and, indeed, the only proper 

 way to regulate the tempera- 

 ture of the vinery is by means 

 of a thermometer, and the 

 amateur who intends to make 

 a success of Grape-growing 

 ought to possess one. A 

 regular temperature is neces- 

 sary; it is harmful to keep the house 

 warm one night and several degrees cooler 

 the next. The following temperatures for the 

 season offer a guide to the grower and should 

 be maintained as closely as possible. Diiring 

 February the minimum night temperature 

 ought to be about 45 degrees ; throughout 

 March and April about 50 degrees ; while in 

 May and June a night temperature of 55 

 degrees is suitable ; and in high summer it 

 may be 60 degrees. There will be no diffi- 



