FRUIT. 167 



the border, choking the drainage, and causing late starting, 

 late ripening, and inferior fruit, with more or less shrivelling. 



It is found that by lifting the roots of vin.satisf actory Muscat.s 

 and laying them near the surface, the vigour of the plant and 

 the quality of the fruit is restored to its normal condition. 

 This may apply with more or less effect to other grapes, but 

 it is especially noticeable with Muscat of Alexandria. To 

 prevent the roots going down, the border should be mulched 

 and frequently watered. Close attention must also be given 

 to the atmospheric conditions. A temperature of 50° at night 

 and 60° by day should not be exceeded until the leading shoot 

 is about two feet long, and the roots taking kindly to the soil. 

 It is of the utmost importance not to exhaust the sap in the 

 stem by too much heat until the roots are in a condition to 

 supply the demand. Otherwise the plants may survive, but a 

 check is given to them from which they will not soon recover. 

 ^ATien the roots are actively at work, 5° more of heat may be 

 given both day and night, with plenty of moisture kept up by 

 S'^-ringing in the morning and afternoon, and damping the 

 border several times daily. By the time the shoots are half 

 way up the roof, the temperature should be 60° at night, 70° 

 to 80° with sunshine during the day. All laterals should be 

 pinched at the second leaf, and the sub-laterals at the first 

 leaf, which is much better for the vines than the detrimental 

 practice of allowing the laterals to grow without stopping 

 until the roof is entirety covered. The sap should be concen- 

 trated as much as possible in the stem, to be utilised in pro- 

 ducing the growth of the following year. 



Due regard having been paid to watering, airing, tempera- 

 ture, and keeping insects in check during the summer, the shoots 

 should be well ripened and ready for pruning by December. 

 A perfect rest of at least two months without heat should be 

 given to all vines, whether old or young. In pruning, an ej'e 

 should be selected on each side of the rod near the bottom of 

 the rafter, from which to form the future spurs, and an eye 

 above to form the leading shoot. All loose bark should be 

 removed, and the rods washed and dressed with some approved 

 insecticide. Forcing should commence about the middle of 



