By Mr. James Acon. 



5 



to give vegetation increased energy. I remember once to 

 have placed some Vines in pots in the lobby of an icehouse ; 

 these being replaced in the stove, broke their eyes in Sep- 

 tember, and had ripe fruit very early in the spring following, 

 though they were but slowly forced. 



No author that I have read who has written on Early 

 Grapes, seems to have been skilled in their cultivation. 

 Mr. Nicole* found it necessary to reverse his houses to pro- 

 cure ripe fruit in March, and many persons, misled by his 

 authority, have adopted this unnatural method of proceeding. 

 Plants that have been forced early will always shew an incli- 

 nation to bud at the accustomed time, whilst it is difficult to 

 move those which have never been habituated to forward 

 excitement, but the habit once induced, will continue, and 

 will enable the cultivator to procure fruit at any time. There 

 may indeed be local circumstances to thwart success, but 

 where there is no difficulty, there is no merit. 



The growth of my early forced Vines coincides with the 

 season most unpropitious to vegetation, but it is fortunate 

 that the quiescent state of the fruit, which takes place pre- 

 vious to its ripening, and when it acquires no perceptible 

 enlargement, corresponds exactly with the depth of winter. 

 Whatever change it then undergoes is probably more the 

 consequence of time than of temperature. 



• Fourth edition of his Forcing, Fruit, and Kitchen Gardener, page 100. 



