358 FORCING DEPARTMENT. 



sufficient room left in the ties to prevent them from 

 injury. If the plants are kept well supplied with 

 water in dry weather, and plenty of air admitted, to 

 prevent their being drawn up in a weak state, they will 

 make a vigorous growth, the first season, and many 

 will; in all probability, reach the top of the rafters. 

 If the shoots appear not perfectly ripened by the 

 end of September, or beginning of October, a gentle 

 fire heat should be applied during the nights, to for- 

 ward the perfection of the wood, which may be con- 

 tinued until the bottom leaves become of a yellow 

 hue, and the lower part of the shoot, for the length 

 of six or eight feet, be of a brownish colour, and feel 

 of a firm texture. As that length of Vine will be 

 much more than is required to be left the ensuing 

 year, when the wood appears to be thoroughly 

 ripened, the fires should be dispensed with, as well 

 as the quantity of water, which should be but 

 sparingly given while the fibres are in a state of 

 inactivity. About the middle of December, the 

 borders had a covering of half decayed dung and 

 leaves put on, so as to prevent the frost from injuring 

 any of the young fibres that had reached through 

 the arches into the exterior border, which was again 

 trenched over the following March, and the rotten 

 leaves intermixed with it ; care being taken not to 

 encroach on the fibres that had extended beyond the 

 arches, rather leaving a space unturned, than inju- 

 ring the roots. The great advantage derived in 

 turning the borders, is rendering the soil loose and 

 free for the roots to run in; but this must not be 

 practised after the first year's growth, as the second 



