Cultivation of the Vine. 407 



leader, and the other cut down as formerly. But I frequently 

 have shoots emitted from the old wood, and from the very roots 

 of the vines, which furnish better succession than any that I cut 

 down for that purpose. 



As to the advantages of this system, I am quite convinced of 

 its superiority over every other mode. The vines are easily ma- 

 naged in summer, and have at all times a neat and systematic 

 appearance; and I may venture to say that there is no system of 

 pruning by which so great a crop of grapes can be obtained. 



However, it would be of no use to leave so much wood on 

 weakly vines, as I have recommended. If vines are in a weak 

 state, the border in which they grow should be renewed ; as no 

 system of pruning will cause such vines to bear a great crop. 

 Many object to the " long system " of pruning, by saying 

 that it is useless leaving eight or ten eyes on a bearing shoot, 

 as only three, or, at most, four, will break. Such is not the 

 result with me. Every eye uniformly breaks with me, with 

 the exception of two, or perhaps three, at the foot of each shoot. 



This leads me to say a few words relative to the temper- 

 ature necessary for the vine. I commence forcing about the 

 end of February, or beginning of March ; previously to which, 

 I cover the vine border, to the depth of 10 or 12 inches, with 

 horse dung of the best quality. Before this dung is laid on 

 the border, it should be thrown up in a heap for two or three 

 days, until it begins to heat properly. It should then be laid 

 on the border without delay, as its powers will be greatly weak- 

 ened by the proces of fermentation. The temperature of the 

 surface of the border will be raised, by means of this dung, 

 to about 50° Fahr. ; a point of great importance. It is evi- 

 dently contrary to nature to be forcing the vines, when the 

 roots are exposed to cold, or, at least, deriving no warmth 

 to stimulate the juices of the plants. I keep the temperature 

 in the hot-house at about 50° in the morning, at first ; and 

 about 55° during the day, if dull weather. If the nights are 

 very cold or frosty at the commencement of forcing, if the 

 thermometer is 48° in the morning, I am satisfied. This heat 

 is continued until the buds are all broken ; after which the 

 thermometer may be allowed to range between 50° and 55° 

 in the morning, and about 60° during the day, if dull weather. 

 In clear weather, from the commencement of forcing, I open 

 the upper door of the furnace, merely keeping the fire in 

 during the day ; and allow the temperature to rise in the hot- 

 house to 70°, 75°, or even 80°. Were there a continuance 

 of clear weather at this stage of forcing, 80° would be too 

 high; but, for a day or two, it does not matter, although the 

 thermometer should rise to 80° in the middle of the day. This 

 temperature should be continued during the day, should the 



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