CULTUEE or THE VINE. 



29 



to be ripe must be the guide as to the time of commencing 

 forcing. Prune the vines as soon as they are leafless, by merely 

 cutting them to the length required ; when pruned, wash them 

 with rain-water, using a little soft soap and sulphur, that has 

 been previously boiled together, which would cleanse and other- 

 wise benefit the wood and buds. The temperature for the first 

 fortnight should range from fifty to fifty-five degrees, and gra- 

 dually increase it to seventy degrees. Syringe freely with tepid 

 water, and keep a genial moist atmosphere until the vines are 

 broken, when less moisture will be required. From the constant 

 humidity which has been kept up, and the frequent use of the 

 syringe, only a Httle water at the roots will be required ; but, if 

 dry, give them sheep-manure water. In order to prevent the 

 mould from becoming impure it will be necessary to secure a 

 quick and free drainage, which would be greatly assisted by 

 raising the pots on two separate pieces of wood or brickbats, 

 placed under each edge ; you will thus also have a more general 

 circulation of heat round the pots. When the buds are regularly 

 broken, and each shoot advanced to the length of six inches, 

 prepare to plant the vines into a trough, as shown in the plan. 

 The advantage to be derived is immense, by securing to them all 

 the benefit of a border, independent of giving every root and 

 branch an equal temperature, which is so essential to promote 

 their perfection. Pirst place upon the laths forming the bottom 

 of the trough, a layer of pieces of turf of about three inches 

 square, to prevent the fine mould from being washed down ; next 

 put a layer of two or three inches deep of the following compost, 

 viz., equal quantities of rich turfy loam and rotted manure from 

 the farm-yard, with the addition of a little sand. Proceed to 

 remove the vines from the pots by turning the ball upside down 

 on the palm of the hand, having a convenient bench on which to 

 rest the hand and ball whilst cautiously removing the crocks, and 

 any objectionable soil, or worms, and taking the utmost care in 

 so doing not to injure the roots. When so prepared, place the 

 ball on the surface of the soil in the bottom of the trough. Pro- 



