24 



A TREATISE ON THE 



as represented in Plate VIL^ and at every other row of nails 

 plant a vine^ which ought to be done in the autumn, should the 

 border be ready then, but not later than the month of March, so 

 as to enable them to strike out young fibres before the buds begin 

 to swell. In pruning, leave only two buds at a foot-and-a-half 

 from the ground : those under them should be cut off with a sharp 

 knife, after they are grown to the length of a foot or so. Select 

 the strongest, and remove the other. Train the young shoot to 

 the nails, but be careful not to tie them too tight, which would 

 impede the free circulation of the sap. When the shoot has 

 reached to the top of the wall or building, — which it wiU very soon 

 do provided proper care and attention is taken to give water when 

 the weather is dry, and occasionally to loosen the surface by 

 lightly forking the portion of the border nearest to the stems, — 

 you must cover the whole surface with a thin dressing of well- 

 rotted manure to prevent too rapid evaporation, and also to screen 

 the roots from the too powerful rays of the sun. Pinch the shoot 

 off when it has attained the required height, and follow the direc- 

 tions previously given for the treatment of those vines planted in 

 the vineries. It will, however, require some degree of care and 

 attention in keeping the lateral shoots removed so as to admit the 

 sun and air to the wood, in order to get it well ripened before the 

 cold weather sets in, as much of the success depends on the wood 

 and eyes being well matured. When this end is fully accom- 

 plished, prune off the stems of the lateral shoots nearly close to 

 the eye from which they proceed. The vines will now be in 

 a state of repose, and will therefore require nothing further beyond 

 a good dressing of rotted manure being forked into the border. 

 As the spring advances they will begin to bud forth, when care 

 must be taken to select the strongest shoots, leaving them at 

 regular distances, as shown in the sketch. 



It would well repay the grower to take pains in thinning each 

 bunch properly, only one of which must be left on each shoot ; 

 for, by pursuing this plan, a greater weight of fruit will be ob- 

 tained, as well as a better quality, than if they were left in 



