298 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



and that are not now so forward, require to be encouraged 

 to grow more freely for another month at least, and 

 consequently require to be kept more moist, and be shut 

 up with more heat on the afternoons of fine clear days. 

 Avoid as much as possible a forcing-heat on dull days 

 and at night, and take advantage of sun-heat, when it 

 can be had. All syringing of growing stock overhead should 

 now cease. 



Grapes. — Late grapes intended to hang through the winter 

 should be quite ripe by the end of the month. In keeping 

 grapes successfully, it is of great importance that the foliage 

 be healthy as long as possible. And if there be any red- 

 spider about the vines in patches, as is not unfrequent, get 

 rid of it at once. In wet localities, where heavy autumn 

 rains prevail, cover the outside border with shutters or tar- 

 pauling so as to throw off the superabundant wet. And as 

 it is now desirable to keep the inside of the vineries drier, 

 let the surface of the border be gently forked up, and a 

 sprinkling of old mushroom-bed manure be scattered over it 

 to the depth of an inch, first sifting it rather finely. Look 

 over ripe crops, and cut out aU berries that show any signs 

 of decay. Keep the vines free from lateral growths, and the 

 main foliage healthy to the last. The early part of this 

 month is a good time to remove the inert surface-soil from 

 borders down to the roots, replacing it with fresh turfy 

 loam mixed with horse-droppings, and a little old lime-rub- 

 bish or charcoal. Vines from which fruit was cut in April 

 and May will be ready to prune by the end of the month ; 

 and if intended for early forcing again, it should be no longer 

 delayed. After pruning keep them as cool as possible. All 

 repairs or painting requisite should be done before the 

 weather becomes unfavourable for such work. Yoimg 

 vigorous-growing vines that were planted last and this year 

 fire and keep warm till the wood is perfectly brown and 

 matuifed. Remove aU young growths as they appear, and if 

 they have been allowed to make anything of a rambling 

 lateral growth, remove as much of it as will admit a free play 



