ON FRUIT CULTURE. 



Feeding the roots with either chemical 

 or natural manures ought not to be prac- 

 tised until the vines are cropping. Stimu- 

 lants are then useful if properly 

 applied, bearing in mind always that 

 weak and frequent feedings are more 

 serviceable than concentrated appli- 

 cations. Experience has taught us 

 that chemical manures used in con- 

 junction with natural manures are really 

 the most effectual in producing the 

 best results, although first-class Grapes are 

 grown every year by both kinds of manure, 

 employed separately. 



Pruning of vines is a simple matter if 

 once the principle is understood. With 

 young vines the leading rod may be 

 allowed 3ft. to 4ft. of growth each 

 season, cutting in all laterals to one 

 or two eyes. In older vines the same 

 system of pruning the laterals holds good, 



with one or 



1013 



Fig. 656. — Properly 

 Thinned Bunch of 

 Madresfield Court 

 Grapes Matured. 



(Much reduced.) 



Fig. 657. — Improperly 

 Thinned Bunch of 

 Black Hamburgh 

 Grapes. 



(Much reduced.) 



two exceptions ; 

 these are Black 

 Monukka, Gros 

 Guillaume, and 

 Buckland 

 Sweet- 

 water, which will not fruit freely 

 if very closely pruned, and there- 

 fore three or four eyes. should be 

 left when pruning the laterals. . 

 Propagation is easily effected 

 v by means of eyes cut with an 



inch or so of wood on each side 

 of the bud, and placed in gentle bottom- 

 heat, or even by pieces of young wood, 

 several inches long, placed in heat, as 

 the vine roots readily. Even pieces 

 stuck in the soil outside will root freely. 

 In many private gardens Grapes must 

 be kept for as long a period as possible. 

 To achieve this object the bunches are 

 cut with a good piece of young wood 

 attached ; this wood is put in a bottle of 

 water with a little charcoal added, and the 

 bottle hung by its neck, or placed in a 

 proper Grape-rack, at such an angle that 



