370 FORCING DEPARTMENT. 



that are wished to be kept as a reserve stock, should 

 be headed down to a couple of eyes, and re-potted in 

 larger sized pots, until required for planting out; 

 but if they are not wanted before the plants are 

 above two or three years old, it will be more 

 advisable to throw them away, and propagate young 

 ones instead. As plants of one or tw T o years' growth 

 generally succeed better than those of a more 

 advanced age, I have frequently planted them out 

 from the cutting pot in the middle of Summer, the 

 same season they were raised ; and have invariably 

 found such as I have turned out, at this stage of 

 growth, to surpass those that I have reserved until 

 the ensuing Spring. 



The increasing of the Vine, by grafting, is some- 

 times advantageously adopted, where there are old 

 established plants in the house, whose fruit is of an 

 inferior quality ; or when it appears desirable to 

 grow several kinds of Grapes on the same Vine. 

 The size of the fruit, of the small and delicate 

 growing kinds, is also often much improved by 

 being ingrafted on stocks of a more robust nature. 

 The Black Hamburgh, Black Damascus, Syrian, 

 and White Nice, are very suitable subjects for form- 

 ing a conjunction with the Frontignacs, Muscats, 

 White Muscadine, Sweet- Water, and other small 

 growing sorts. 



The best season for performing the operation is, 

 when the Vines are in a dormant state, and two or 

 three weeks previous to their being excited into 

 vegetation. Those shoots that are of a moderate 

 size and firm texture should likewise be chosen, and 



