:302 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GAEDEXIXG. 



inches apart, a space which, they will eventually 

 cover with foliage. If the lesser distance has been 

 decided upon, then one side shoot from each vine 

 will be sufficient. The temperature from the time 

 the vines are planted, until they are commencing 

 free growth, should range fi'om 50° to 56" at night, 

 and 10° to 15° higher by day, but as no rule can be 

 laid down for forcing early growth, progress should be 

 made under the influence of sunshine and light, and 

 rest allowed when the days are dark and cold. By 

 the middle of April all the canes will be progressing 

 favourably, having got over the temporary check 

 which always takes place after the young growths 

 have exhausted the stored-up sap, and the new roots 

 have commenced sending up a fresh supply from 

 laelow. When this period, which often extends over 

 ten dsijs, has been passed, raise the night tempera- 

 ture to about 60°, give air in the morning as soon as 

 the thermometer rises to 70°, and gradually increase 

 the top ventilation under a bright sun until the 

 mercui-y touches 80°. Eegularly sprinkle the floors 

 through the day, keep the evaporating pans full, and 

 also syringe every part of the house, including the 

 ioliage, after closing on flne afternoons. 



In order to dispense with sharp firing as much as 

 possible, early closing is an important point which 

 should never be lost sight of. As days increase in 

 length and brightness, the night temperature may be 

 Taised to 65° for such kinds as Hambui'ghs, and 70° 

 for Muscats; and the section which enjoys Muscat 

 treatment may rise 10° to 15° by day, more or less, 

 according to the state of the weather. If not 

 mulched, the borders, as yet loose and porous, will 

 be in a fit state to receive a moderate supply of 

 water at the mean temperature of the house, and 

 more atmospheric moisture will be needed to support 

 the young vines and foliage, which must be grown 

 in full exposure to the sun. This moist growing 

 condition can always be secured by damping the 

 borders on fine mornings, and again at closing time, 

 when a slight sj-ringing will also be beneficial. But 

 great care must be exercised in dull, cold weather, as 

 anything approaching a sloppy state of the house, 

 when air cannot be freely admitted, will produce 

 excrescences on the lower sides of the leaves, usually 

 the first ailment with which young beginners have 

 to contend. 



^rhen the young canes begin to feel the full 

 benefit of the new compost, they will grow with 

 increasing ^-igour, and provided airing is properly 

 attended to, the foliage will begin to assume a dense 

 green colour with plentj'- of substance ; laterals will 

 push freely, and the leaders will require tying with 

 soft bass every alternate day. From this stage 

 forward the treatment should in every way 1 e 

 liberal ; plenty of water must be given to the roots. 



the syringe may be freely plied at closing time, and 

 clear liquid may be used for damping the floors. 



The permanent ^•ines, from which no fruit is to bo 

 taken the following year, must be encouraged to 

 make all the gi'owth and foliage that can be fully 

 exposed to the influence of light, as it is by this 

 means that an abundance of roots will be formed, 

 wliich in due course will send up ^'igorous f ruiting- 

 canes the second year. Therefore the laterals should 

 be regulated and laid in, but not stopped imtil they 

 approach the temporary vines, which they must not 

 however be allowed to encroach upon. As the tem- 

 porary ^dnes progress, pinch the laterals at the first 

 leaf, and stop the leaders at about nine feet from the 

 starting-point. This will cause the yoxmg canes to 

 strengthen, and plump up the fruiting-buds, from 

 which a few bunches of grapes will be taken the 

 following year, when the purpose for which they 

 were planted will be accomplished. If, after 

 stopping, one or two of the main buds at the top 

 of the leaders break, allow them to grow on for 

 a time, and give the sub-laterals a little more play 

 as an outlet for the sap until such time as the canes 

 become firm, and there is no longer an}- danger of 

 the main buds breaking below that to which they 

 will eventually be pruned. 



The night temperature during the summer months, 

 when fire-heat is at the minimum, may range about 

 70°, and it may run up to 80° or 85° on bright sunny 

 days with a free circulation of air. With the increase 

 of light and solar heat more atmospheric moisture as 

 well as water to the roots should be given ; but at 

 all times avoid a close stagnant atmosphere when the 

 weather is unfavourable to liberal ventilation. In 

 giving air to the house admit a little at the top very 

 early in the morning to allow the condensed mois- 

 ture to escape before the sun has time to catch the 

 foliage ; then, as the heat increases, open the front 

 ventilators ; close early in the afternoon, and give a 

 chink at the apex every night. As soon as the wood 

 begins to ripen, increase the air, and gradually 

 reduce the supply of atmospheric moisture ; add a 

 little more mulching to the roots to keep those near 

 the surface moist, as vines should never be allowed 

 to become dry, particularly at this stage, wlien spider 

 is likely to put in an appearance, and the natural 

 ripening of the foliage is of the greatest importance. 



When the wood turns to a dark brown colour, all 

 the ventilators may be opened to let in sim and air, 

 the great consolidators of the summer's growth : the 

 laterals may be taken out of the temporary vines 

 from the base up to the pruning-bud, provided the 

 main leaves have not been injured or destroyed, 

 when one leaf must be left on the laterals ; and the 

 foliage may be occasionally syringed on fine evenings, 

 to keep it clean and free from spider, until the wood 



