22> 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



I often have in the case of the latter. When the grapes are ripe, the vines must 

 not receive such copious w^aterings as before, nevertheless the border must never 

 be allowed to become at all dry. Give clear water only until the grapes are cut ; 

 immediately afterwards the borders should be well watered with liquid manure to 

 nourish the vine after the exhaustion of developing and ripening a heavy crop 

 of fruit. Thence, until the vines are at rest, water will be 

 required in moderate quantities only, and at less frequent 

 intervals. The remarks here made for guidance in water- 

 ing the border of the early forced vinery apply equally to 

 vines grown under glass when started at any season of the 

 year. One word as regards watering the borders in winter 

 while the vines are practically dormant. At least one 

 thorough irrigation of the borders at this season is highly 

 beneficial, and strongly to be recommended. Farmyard 

 manure water should be used, and in stronger solution than 

 for summer application. 



Moisture in the Atmosphere. — During the vine's 

 growth, from the time the vinery is closed until the 

 berries are black and nearly ripe, moisture must be pro- 

 vided. The vine, with its immense leaf surface, is almost 

 as much sustained by what is absorbed through the leaves 

 as by the sustenance derived by its roots. A moist 

 atmosphere also helps to keep the vines free from insect 

 pests. A dry arid atmosphere encourages thrip, and red 

 spider particularly. The ways of providing moisture 

 are several. One is by using the syringe, and this 

 is perhaps the best. Others are by having troughs fixed upon the hot- 

 water pipes, or by attaching an indiarubber pipe to the tap where a force 

 of water already exists. This latter is an easy and an economical method, 

 but during winter and spring the water is naturally so cold as 

 to lower the temperature of the house when applied. At that 

 season it is best to use the troughs on the pipes, and syringe 

 with warm water. A watering-can with a fine rose may, of 

 course, be used, but the objection I have to this is that too 

 much water is used at a time, injuriously affecting the border by 

 constant wetting of the soil. 



Syringing the Vines. — From the time the vinery is closed 

 until the buds have burst into growth, the vines should be 

 moistened with the syringe several times a day. After- 

 wards the foliage should not be syringed ; it must depend upon 

 the moisture from the atmosphere to keep it in health. When the vines are 

 attacked with red spider or thrip, they must be then well syringed ; and if 

 rain water is used no great harm to the fruit will result, but if water containing 

 lime is used, the berries will be so spotted and disfigured as to be useless for 

 dessert. 



Temperatures and Ventilation. — A table of approximate temperatures 



Growth from Young 

 Vine cut down to 

 Two Buds 



{i) Growth rubbed off; 

 (/) growth retained 

 to form a vigorous 

 cane. 



JL 



Young Cane cut 

 DOWN TO Two 

 Buds 



Sometimes prac- 

 tised when vine 

 is weak. 



