THE GRAPE VINE. 89 



vine. The vines will this season grow with rapidity, and, 

 having their growth concentrated into two rods, with 

 great strength. Throughout every stage of their growth 

 up till the ripening period, the inside border must he 

 regularly watered, so that there be no chance of a check 

 from over-dryness at the root. It is impossible to say 

 exactly when water should be applied ; it must be applied 

 before the soil gets very dry and begins to crack. It is 

 a good plan, after the vines are in full growth, to mulch 

 the border slightly with rotten manure, such as old mush- 

 room-bed dung. The same attention to atmospheric 

 moisture, syringing, and airing as directed for the iirst 

 year's growth, of course applies to that of the second. 



Instead of allowing the lateral growths to ramble as 

 directed for the first season's growth, do not allow them 

 to make more than two leaves, and stop the main growths 

 as soon as they reach half-way up the rafters. This 

 stopping causes the buds on the lower part of the vines 

 that are to bear next year to become fuller and stronger. 

 Allow the leader to break and grow on to the top of the 

 house, there to be stopped finally. After this stopping 

 allow the lateral growths, especially those on the top 

 part of the vine, to make another leaf, to encourage root- 

 growth. Now is the time that the most rapid thicken- 

 ing of the rod and the full development of its buds 

 take place. If all be right they will swell with astonish- 

 ing quickness, bursting their bark and expanding their 

 foliage to the full. At this stage see that none of the 

 ties by which they are supported get too tight and cut 

 them. 



Keep a .constant look-out for red-spider if the weather 

 be hot and dry ; and if it appears, give a few vigorous 

 syringings with clean tex)id water. The outside border 



