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GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



by the sun will not fall below 50 degrees during the night unless it is 

 exceptionally cold outside. In a month's time from closing the vinery 

 increase the night temperature to 55 degrees, and a few weeks after- 

 wards to 60 degrees, at which it may remain throughout the growing 

 season. Cut back to one leaf all side shoots that make their appear- 

 ance during summer, so that every opportunity of making good growth 

 may be given to the main rod. When in early autumn 

 signs of ripening are noticeable in the wood, more air 

 must be given and less moisture, as before advised. It 

 will thus be seen that during the first ; two seasons 

 after planting the Vine is not at all difficult to 

 manage. It may thus be summarised : 

 During the growing season, from April 

 to August, provide a warm, moist at- 

 mosphere, and be careful to see 

 that the border is well watered 

 whenever the soil appears 

 dry. When the wood 

 begins to ripen gradually 

 decrease the moisture 

 and heat, and increase 

 the amount of air, until 

 finally the ventilators are 

 kept open night and day. 

 The border must not be 

 allowed to become dry 

 during winter, for the 

 roots of the Vine are 

 alive and require nourish- 

 ment. Naturally they will 

 not absorb so much water 

 when the Vines were 

 in full leaf, but to let the 

 soil of the border get 

 quite dry is fatal. In the 

 winter following, if the 

 Vine has grown vigor- 

 ously and become, say, 

 as thick as one's thumb, 

 the cane may be left 

 about 4 feet long. If, however, it is somewhat weak, shorten it again. 

 Presuming, however, that the Vine has succeeded well enough to be left 

 4 feet long at the second winter pruning the cultivator may expect to 

 have two or three bunches of Grapes the following summer. The apex 

 of the young cane will now reach some little distance along the wire trellis 

 suspended about 18 inches away from the roof. Rub off all the buds 

 upon the stem of the young Vine, beginning with the lowest, to within 

 the two below the trellis, for if shoots were allowed to grow from them 



FIG. 40. Young Vine after second year's growth. 

 Way to prune back. 



