CULTURE OF THE VINE. 



27 



the eyes regularly on the surface, allowing a clear space between 

 each, to ensure their easier removal when struck. Cover them 

 over to the depth of half an inch with the same light compost as 

 used immediately under them. Place the pots containing, the 

 eyes in a frame, pit, or other suitable structure, plunged into 

 a bottom-heat of not less than eighty degrees, nor above ninety 

 degrees, with a surface-heat of at least seventy degrees. They 

 will soon emit roots, and the buds also will quickly make 

 their appearance ; and at this stage a little water will be liighly 

 beneficial. When they have grown to the height of two or three 

 inches, pot them singly into sixty-sized pots, taking the utmost 

 care when doing so not to injure them. In addition to loam, leaf- 

 mould, and sand, a little well decomposed stable-manure will tend 

 much, even at this early stage of their growth, to strengthen and 

 give vigour both to the roots and shoots. Place them again in 

 a good bottom-heat, being careful to maintain a sweet and pure 

 atmosphere; occasionally a little water will be necessary, but keep 

 them rather dry than otherwise. As soon as the pots are filled 

 with roots, repot them into thirty-two-sized ones, using at this 

 potting a greater portion of decomposed manure, and so much the 

 less of vegetable mould. Put them, when potted, into a vinery, 

 or other convenient house, where a temperature of from seventy 

 to eighty degrees is maintained. Place the pots on shelves, and 

 as near the glass as practicable. The great object to be observed 

 is to keep them in a free growing state, air being a most essential 

 point, which ought to be admitted freely, but, of course, not de- 

 pressing the internal heat below the previous given standard. 



When these plants are fully furnished with roots, transplant 

 them finally into a No. 8 size. For this potting use a compost 

 as follows : — Let one half consist of the surface spit from old 

 pasture, chopped into pieces of about two inches square. Let 

 the other half be well-rotted farm-yard manure, which, previous 

 to being mixed with the mould, should be turned over frequently, 

 adding to it a little quick-lime, to destroy worms, &c. When 

 properly mellowed by exposure to the sun and air, mix both to- 



