THE VINE 229 



for guidance to the amateur and inexperienced is given at the end of this 

 chapter ; therefore, much need not now be said. The greatest care is needed 

 in spring and early summer, when growth is young and tender, and the weather 

 capricious. The chief point is to avoid draughts, and therefore the front 

 ventilators must be sparingly opened (if at all) during cold weather, and 

 especially if east winds prevail. Generally speaking, the heat in the pipes can 

 be soon reduced by means of the valves, if sunshine suddenly occurs. Air 

 in sufficient quantity can be admitted through the top ventilators to keep the 

 temperature within proper limits. Afterwards, as the weather becomes warmer, 

 more air may be safely given at both front and top, but always gradually; 

 admit a little early in the morning, and increase the amount at intervals 

 until the maximum is reached from noon to I p.m. The same method, in 

 reverse order, should be carried out in the afternoon as the power of the sun 

 declines, until it is safe to close the vinery without causing the thermometer to 

 register more than 80 or 85 degs. 



SuccEssioNAL Crops. — It will help the grower as to the proper time to 

 start his vines for successional crops if he will bear in mind that, from the 

 day they are started until the fruit is ripe, six months usually elapse. For 

 instance, an early vinery, started on the ist of November, should produce ripe 

 grapes at the end of April. Started on the ist December, they should be ripe 

 at the end of May, and so on through the season. Of course, hy harder forcing 

 it is possible to shorten the season in which grapes can be produced, but this 

 would be at the expense of the health of the vine. It is always better to allow 

 for a period of six months. 



The number of bunches a vine with a single stem ought to be allowed 

 to ripen depends upon the weight of the bunches, the variety of grape, 

 whether quantity or quality is the desideratum, &c. If the bunches average 

 2 or 2^ lbs. each, eight or ten would be quite enough for most varieties. 

 If the bunches are smaller, more in proportion might be allowed. If it 

 is a question of weight, and not of the highest quality, then from twelve to 

 fifteen bunches may be left of i^ lb. or so each without detriment to the vine. 



Extension System. — By this method, instead of restricting the vine's 

 growth to one stem, several are allowed to grow. This, no doubt, is the 

 most natural plan to adopt, but it is not always conveniently carried out 

 under artificial conditions, especially where space is limited, and several varieties 

 are wanted. I am of opinion that the vine will succeed better, live longer in 

 good health, and produce better crops when grown on the extension system 

 than when confined to a single stem for a number of years. The common 

 practice among the best growers who allow their vines to extend, is to have 

 two rods to one stem. Of course, if it is desired still further to extend the 

 branches, one vine may in time fill the largest vinery, as at Hampton Court, 

 Cumberland Lodge, &c. Should a cultivator wish to convert his single- 

 stemmed vines into double ones, the process is very simple : he has only to 

 select a shoot at the base, and encourage it to grow and take the place of the 

 vine close by. This will take three or four years to accomplish, and the 

 method of pruning, &c., will be the same as advised for newly planted vines 



