■136 THE CULTURE OF THE GBAPE. 



raised or reduced, it is equally directed to an imitation 

 of nature's course in some climate. The forcing-house, 

 however, is frequently so assimilated in its construction 

 and economy to the hothouse, on account of the culture 

 requisite for plants of a mixed nature, that the difference 

 vanishes. But both the separation and the interchange 

 may be accounted for by the nature of any given plant. 

 Thus the cherry will ripen its fruit perfectly in the open 

 air; the forcing-house, for the cherry, is far I'emoved 

 from the hothouse. Few kinds of the grape, however 

 favored by aspect and shelter, come to maturity under 

 the influence of our natural summer (the climate of En- 

 gland) ; and most of the sorts which are forced would 

 never ripen under it; the grape forcing-house and the 

 hothouse are, therefore, convertible things." — Encyclo- 

 2>(Bdia. 



If it be intended to winter-force, you must not com- 

 mence the process, the first year, before the first of 

 March; the second year, yon may begin the middle of 

 February ; the third year, the first of February, and so 

 on, fifteen days earlier everj' jear, nntil you reach the 

 first of December ; beyond this yon can hardly go, as 

 this allows only time to prune and clean the vine after it 

 has gone -into rest. 



The first of March is recommended as the best time 

 to commence fire-heat for the main croj) of grapes ; this 

 can hardly be considered as forcing ; it is a simple pro- 

 tection and aid to the natural growth, and as heavy ]f 

 not larger crops can be matured as in a cold house. 



In a house that is forced in December or January, 



