80 



ON THE MANAGEMENT 



large plants (and such as are kept many years in 

 pots) their roots will be too much bound together 

 and matted. A plant, with a shoot of about five 

 or six feet in length, moderately strong, and 

 perfectly well ripened, is quite sufficient. 



I generally stop the plants (by pinching off their 

 tops) at that length ; for, if intended for a vinery, 

 they will require to be cut down within a few 

 inches of the ground ; and, if for taking through 

 the front wall, and training in such hot-house as 

 is here recommended, about three feet is a sufficient 

 length, But when plants are wanted for any 

 purpose where a longer stem is required, they 

 must be trained accordingly. In all cases, how- 

 ever, it should be remembered, that four or five 

 eyes at the top of the shoot generally break out 

 into laterals, and thereby render that part of the 

 wood useless ; so that a proportionable allowance 

 should be made in consideration of this defect. 



The pots should be constantly kept clean from 

 weeds, and, during the hot months, very frequent 

 waterings should be given to the plants. In very 

 hot dry weather, they will require a little water 

 twice a day. I constantly cover the surface of the 

 mould in the pots with a little rotten cow's dung. 

 This mulching prevents the mould in the pots 

 from drying too fast, and also contributes to in- 

 vigorate the plants. 



When Vine-plants have been trained up, either 

 against a common wall, reed-hedge, &c. (where 

 they will succeed very well during the hot months, 



