28 



A TREATISE ON THE 



gether^ adding a little sand, if the soil contains none. In crocking 

 the pots, take care to place the pieces so as to allow the water to 

 pass off freely, and place over them pieces of turf to prevent the 

 fine mould from getting amongst the crocks, and clogging up the 

 hollow spaces, it being most desirable they should be quite free 

 for the escape of moisture, and for the admission of air to the 

 roots ; in potting press the compost tolerably firm, previously 

 taking care that it is sufficiently dry not to knead. As soon as 

 potted, place them in the house, where they are to remain to 

 complete their growth, training them under the glass, but not 

 nearer to it than sixteen inches : the temperature should be in- 

 creased from five to ten degrees, keeping a moist atmosphere. 

 Use the syringe freely in the evenings, being careful to give air 

 early in the mornings, to allow any excess of moisture to escape, 

 in order to protect the tender foliage from being scorched by the 

 rays of the sun. 



When the vines have grown to the length of eight or twelve 

 feet it will be necessary to stop them, and if they are as healthy 

 and strong as they ought to be, they will, immediately after being 

 pinched off, tlirow out lateral shoots from the buds at the extreme 

 ends : and as it is of great importance to prevent the other prin- 

 cipal buds from breaking (I mean those upon which the crop is 

 depending) for tlie following season, allow the top lateral to grow 

 to the length of six or eight inches before pinching; but the 

 lateral shoots, which are emitted from the base of the fruiting 

 buds, you should stop beyond the first joint. Water freely at the 

 roots, and occasionally with a decoction of manure from the 

 sheep-fold. When the wood is thoroughly well matured and 

 perfectly ripe, remove the potted plants from the house, placing 

 them under a south wall until required for early forcing, or other- 

 wise ; protecting the roots with some light substance from the 

 effects of frost, and secure the rods to the wall. 



The following directions are alone applicable to the forcing of 

 young vines raised from eyes, and treated in the manner pre- 

 viously described. The period at which the grapes are required 



