CULTURE OF THE VINE. 



7 



off at the point, as recommended in tlie case of the principal 

 shoot. It may be necessary to inform the uninitiated of the 

 object of this process. I will, therefore, endeavour to explain it. 



The crop of the next season entirely depends upon the buds 

 along the rod remaining in a quiescent state, and the only means 

 of keeping them so is the encouragement given to the sap to flow 

 freely to the part to which the lateral branches or buds are pro- 

 ceeding, and thus preventing the buds from being prematurely 

 excited. There will also be either a direct or lateral shoot thrown 

 out from the base of these important buds, but they must not on 

 any account be permitted to make much increase ; and, in order 

 to prevent it, stop them beyond the first joint, and this must be 

 repeatedly done if their growth should render it necessary ; and 

 the same rule must be observed with the lateral shoots at the end 

 of the vine also. 



In proceeding with the culture of the young vines, only mode- 

 rate heat, merely acting as a little assistance to nature, will be 

 required. Therefore, a temperature not exceeding sixty degrees 

 during the night, and ranging from seventy to eighty degrees in the 

 day, will be sufficient during the whole period of their growth. At 

 this time, the frequent use of the syringe in the evenings will be 

 very beneficial. Take care, however, to admit air early in the morn- 

 ings, in order to allow any excess of moisture to escape, and also 

 to prevent the tender foliage being scorched by the rays of the sun. 



In order to encourage the free rooting of the vines, let the 

 border be occasionally forked over, to the depth of an inch or 

 two. Be most cautious, however, in doing it, to avoid disturbing 

 the young fibres ; and, as the work is proceeded with, give a 

 good supply of water from a pot with a rose, provided the border 

 is dry. Be particular, likewise, as you go on, not to trample on 

 the portion fresh watered, as it is desirable that the soil on the 

 surface should be hollow, to give access both to sun and air. 



Many persons entertain an opinion that the border may, 

 without detriment to the vines, be laid under some light crop, but 

 I am perfectly convinced that such a plan is the very worst economy 



