THE FORCING GARDEN". 



799 



plants become stronger, the temperature may be allowed to 

 rise to 70° or 75° ; but the latter point should be considered 

 the maximum, unless for a few hours in clear sun-shine, when 

 the weather is naturally w^arm. As the plants advance in 

 growth, give a liberal supply of water both at their roots, 

 and over their leaves, to keep them in a vigorous state of 

 growth; for no fruit-bearing tree requires more of that ele- 

 ment, while in a growing state, than the vine. Occasional 

 waterings at their roots of the drainings of the dunghill, will 

 be found to be of great service to them ; or, as a substitute, 

 water in which rich animal manure has been steeped for 

 some days, and applied to their roots, when it is of the color 

 of porter. The plants should be daily well watered over the 

 leaves with clear soft-water, applied with the syringe with 

 some force, which will tend to keep the red-spider in subject- 

 ion, as well as refresh the foliage, and keep it clear of dust. 



A careful watch should also be kept for the thrips^ which 

 in dry weather makes its appearance, somewhat similar to the 

 red spider, and will easily be discovered by the curling up of 

 the leaves. On the least appearance of this insect, fumiga- 

 tions with tobacco must be immediately applied, and fre- 

 quently continued until the insects be quite destroyed. It is 

 no ordinary fumigation that will rid the plants of the tJirips 

 when once established. It must be applied with greater 

 strength, and continued much longer than for the suppression 

 of the green-fly. Should the latter insect only appear, fumi- 

 gations less powerful will be sufficient. 



This process being adhered to, the vines by the middle of 

 September will have made good shoots, and if the season be 

 very favourable, probably fire-heat will be unnecessary for the 

 purpose of ripening the wood. Should the season be other- 

 wise, and th<* shoots appear still succulent and green, then 

 slight fires wilf be necessary. This should, however, be 

 determined, not so much by the state of the weather as by the 

 state of the shoots. If the lower part, by that time, be not 

 turning of a brownish color, it is then decidedly time to apply 

 slight fire-heat, in order to promote the perfection of the wood. 

 It has been justly observed by Nicol, one of our best practical 



