CULTURE OF THE VINE. 



9 



sap; and when the vines are thus disposed of, and the front 

 sashes slid into the groove of the inner wall, the house is not only 

 enclosed and iu a fit state to apply to any other purpose, but the 

 top lights, by projecting over the outer wall, will be a great advan- 

 tage to the dormant vines by the protection thus afforded them 

 from heavy rains, and also preventing icicles from hanging about 

 them, whereby, according to my belief, they receive more injury 

 than from any other cause. A free circulation of dry and cold 

 air is highly benefi.cial to them ; at the same time, a protection 

 from too much moisture is necessary, and, by adopting the above 

 plan, they will have the advantage of both. 



Having thus arranged the vines for their season of rest, it may 

 not be here out of place to enlarge a little on the different pur- 

 poses to which the vacant house may in the mean time be applied ; 

 for instance, where early vegetables are required, such as French 

 beans, cucumbers, or perhaps strawberries, you are thus afforded 

 every facility of producing them. The same facility is afforded 

 with flowers ; a supply of roses, pinks, lilacs, &c., can easily be 

 had : in short, the advantages to be gained by judicious manage- 

 ment of the unoccupied vinery will be considerable, and it will, 

 I think, be admitted that they prove more than equivalent to the 

 trifling additional expense of the building. The period at which 

 the grapes are required to be ripe must be the guide as to the time 

 of taking the dormant vines again into the house. Por the pur- 

 pose of commencing forcing them, always bear in mind that 

 five clear months must be allowed to bring the fruit to maturity. 

 Therefore, supposing the grapes are required for consumption on 

 the 1st of July, forcing must, of course, be commenced on the 

 1st of February ; and the first thing to be done with the vines 

 will be to wash the rods with the following mixture, viz. : — To 

 three quarts of rain-water add two ounces of soft-soap, four 

 ounces of sulphur, and two ounces of tobacco ; boil all well to- 

 gether for half an hour, and when cold it is fit for use. After 

 applying this wash to the vines, replace the upright sashes on the 

 outer wall, and carefully train the vines on the wires as heretofore. 



