MANAGEMENT OF VINES, &C. 



237 



or four buds some of the strongest young shoots 

 of the last summer's growth, to produce a re- 

 gular supply of bearing wood from the bottom 

 of the vines, some of which should be allowed 

 to run nearly their full length during the sum- 

 mer, but should be cleared of their lateral 

 shoots, which will prevent too great a cluster of 

 twigs, and give light to the house and strength 

 to the main buds of the principal shoot, from 

 which, when allowed to remain of tolerable 

 length at the following winter's pruning, will 

 generally produce the largest and often the 

 finest bunches, probably two, three, or more on 

 each. 



In the early part, or about the middle of 

 January, is the general season for setting the 

 vinery in motion ; if there is a pit within, which 

 is intended for tan, let the bed be made, the 

 warmth from which will bring the vines into 

 activity ; or if the bark bed is not required, the 

 forcing may commence by fire, steam, or hot- 

 water heat alone, whichever has been allotted 

 for the purpose ; but with or without a bark 

 bed, the assistance of fires for warming the 



