224 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



for their second summer's 

 having well syringed the 



Young Vine in First Year's 

 Growth After Planting 



(e) Shoots rubbed oiF to lowest wire of 

 trellis ; (_/~) side or bearing shoots, 

 termed laterals, stopped two joints 

 beyond bunches of fruit, other 

 laterals pinched to one leaf ; sub- 

 laterals are also pinched to one leaf 

 as made, though beyond a bunch 

 these may extend two or three leaves 

 before pinching, as space permits; 

 (g) leader stopped ; (/z) bunch of 

 fruit on leader cut off. 



sub-laterals to issue from 

 stopped at the third leaf, an 



growth. Close the house early in the afternoon, 

 vines and the interior of the vinery, letting the 

 temperature reach 65 or 70 degs. Fahr. Artificial 

 heat must not be used for at least ten days or a 

 fortnight. The temperature at night should be 

 low, say 55 degs. Much of the future success of 

 the vine depends upon the buds bursting strongly 

 and regularly, therefore young vines must not be 

 started too early or in a high temperature. In 

 about a fortnight the buds will swell and be ready 

 to break into growth, but all must not be permitted 

 to grow. We must determine which are to form 

 the permanent fruit-bearing spurs of the . vine. 

 These should be about 15 inches apart on either 

 side, and the intervening ones must be gradually 

 taken ofF; it is, however, advisable to leave the bud 

 next to the permanent one longer in case of pre- 

 mature loss by accident of the latter. The growths 

 are very tender, and the least careless touch may 

 break them oiF. Growth will soon be active, and 

 the grower must provide artificial heat, to be used 

 chiefly at night and to prevent the temperature 

 falling below 57 degs. When the young shoots are 

 10 or 12 inches long a piece of matting should 

 be attached to them and fastened to the trellis 

 simply to prevent their touching the glass ; ulti- 

 mately they must be brought down to the trellis. 

 No item in vine culture requires more careful per- 

 formance than this. As they grow older the shoots 

 become stronger, and by the exercise of patience 

 may be brought safely to the trellis in time. An 

 interesting point now suggests itself, namely, how 

 early should the vine be allowed to produce fruit ? 

 The young cane of moderate size which has been 

 pruned back to 2 feet may produce one or two 

 bunches of grapes, and the stronger cane, which 

 was left 4 feet long, may be permitted to carry two 

 or three bunches ; each of these should weigh from 

 i| to 2 lbs. Allowing young vines to fruit diverts 

 some energy to the production of fruit instead of 

 luxuriance of wood growth. The young shoots 

 will usually produce a bunch of grapes opposite the 

 second or third leaf, and after three more leaves have 

 developed they must be stopped. This will cause 

 the axils of the leaves below ; these must also be 

 d every subsequent shoot at the second leaf. 



