HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 85 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



FRUIT. 



Grapes, out-doors. — Opinions are varied with regard to the evil effects 

 of bleeding that follows pruning vines when the sap is in active motion. 

 The late Mr, Downing, (considered good authority in such matters) has 

 somewhere remarked that "all the bleeding that occurs from cutting last 

 year's wood will not hurt them in the least." And Mr. Hovey (authority 

 equallv trustworthy) says, "that no danger need be apprehended from a 

 bleeding." We know that many cultivators would rather leave them un- 

 pruned than risk this bleeding process, although we have not seen any 

 direct evidence that it is injurious ; while on the other hand, we have rea- 

 son to believe that it is not. It is a pity for the principle of the thing, that 

 it is not. The fact is, that the grape-vine is a plant of too accommodating 

 a turn, were it less so, we would sooner agree to a definite system of man- 

 agement. 



The soil about their roots may receive a slight top dressing in the fol- 

 lowing manner, first, sprinkle a little guano on the surface, then lay on 

 two or three inches of a mixture of fresh loamy soil and charcoal dust, 

 forking the whole slightly over without injuring the roots. Enriching the 

 surface offers an inducement for the roots to seek upwards, were they will 

 be influenced by the atmosphere, and subjected to those chemico-electrical 

 agencies so beneficial to vegetation. Should they be deep in unsuitable 

 soil, a fresh supply may be obtained by bending down the branches, so that 

 a part may be covered with soil. Fresh roots will emit freely from these 

 covered parts, and by mulching in summer, and annual top dressings as 

 above, they will be completely renovated, and in every respect "as good 

 as new." 



Grapes, IN-DOORS.— In cold graperies the vines will soon be starting to 

 growth. Keep the house open and avoid excitement. A few mild days 

 will cause some of the buds to burst, which are liable to injury from cold 

 day winds, and sharp night frosts, that frequently occur at this season; 

 vegetation should therefore be retarded as far as practicable. The horizon- 

 tal position tha^t the vines should now be in, will retard them somewhat, 

 particularly if they are tied close to the parapet wall, where they will be 

 shaded from sun. The house may be shut up close on frosty nights but not 

 otherwise. The border may also be kept covered, to prevent absorption of 

 heat by the soil, and growth of the roots. These precautionary measures 

 are requisite, as this is the principal difficulty we have ever experienced in 

 houses destitute of artificial heat. Should the thermometer outside in- 

 dicate a few degrees of frost when the vines have commenced growth, if 



