FRUIT UNDER GLASS. 145 
it is usual to start to close them up at the end of November. 
But my own experience leads me to say that on planted-out 
vines started about Christmas the grapes will be nearly as soon 
ripe as upon those closed up a month earlier, A week or two 
after the days begin to lengthen is worth three times that during 
the shorter days. ; 
I will now refer to the treatment of the growth of young vines in 
the first year of planting. I would allow all the rambling growth 
possible without any stopping, in order to secure all the root- 
action possible. When this first year’s growth is well ripened I 
would cut the whole down to within two feet of the ground. 
_ All being right they will grow away very strongly the second . 
year, and when half way up the roof I would stop them, At the 
point of stopping another growth will start away; this should be 
pinched out, and the growth that succeeds it will grow much 
stronger. The reason for stopping the vine half way is to cause 
the eyes on the lower portion of the rod to plump up better. 
This second year’s growth should again be all well ripened and 
then cut back, leaving three feet of the second year’s growth. 
It is customary, when planting afresh a vinery, to plant as many 
supernumeraries as permanent vines. In the third year a bunch 
or two of grapes may be taken from the permanent vines, whilst 
all possible may be taken from the supernumeraries, as in a year 
or two they will be taken out. 
A word or two as to stopping lateral growths on old-established 
vines. I think a great mistake is often made in restricting too 
much the lateral growths. The vines should be four feet apart, 
and this allows good space for lateral growth, which makes the 
laterals much stronger. 
The renovation of old borders, and the attempt to improve 
vines which have got into a bad state, often fall to the lot of a 
gardener, I should never have any hesitation in stripping the 
roots bare of any vines in a bad way, putting fresh soil into the 
border, and bringing the roots up to the surface. This work 
should be done in the early autumn to retain natural heat in the 
soil. I have seen the old soil-of a vinery border mixed up with 
fresh soil and put back again ; this proved a failure and should 
not be done. Some gardens are unfortunately very deficient in 
a water-supply. The vine, if growing in thoroughly suitable 
