20 



GLEANINGS ON 



HORTICULTURE. 



and press into the pores of the wood a composition of pounded 

 chalk and tar mixed to the consistency of putty, and wrap 

 round it a piece of ox's bladder ; but the most simple method 



is to thrust the end of the shoot, am- 

 putated as above, into a potatoe, and 

 the bleeding will cease immediately. 

 When vines are in full leaf, they are not liable to bleed when 

 cut, and the largest branches may be cut during the growing 

 season with safety. Tie the vines up, after pruning, to the 

 iron rods, about a foot from under the rafters, so that they 

 may receive the benefit of the sun and air, and the rods will 

 not then be liable to be injured by frosts. If the buds burst 

 strong, it is a good sign that they will show fruit, but if weak, 

 vice versa; and if they miss showing fruit on the fourth or 

 fifth joint, they will fail altogether, and in that case the 

 young shoot, with its weak buds, should be broken off, unless 

 situated near the stem, and required to be left for producing 

 wood from which next year's crop is to be expected. Do not 

 let more than one bunch grow on one lateral, for if more, the 

 grapes will not swell well. When the vines come into bloom, the 

 temperature should be kept at seventy-five degrees ; and the 

 process of watering the borders, &c., until the fi'uit be set, should 

 cease, for it would be liable to injure, if not totally destroy, the 

 tender parts of the blossom. Air should now be only admitted by 

 small openings of a few inches at the lower and upper sashes, 

 which will effect a sufficient change. As the young shoots advance, 

 stop those which show fruit at the second joint above the fruit, 

 pinching it asunder with the finger and thumb, and never use the 

 knife. Three strong and properly situated buds should be chosen 

 for the production of bearing w ood, near the stem of the vines, and 

 these shoots should be laid in to the length of several feet before 

 they are stopped. Continue to apply liquid manure and soap- 

 suds to the border until the berries are about one-third of their 

 size, and then supply them with clear water, withdrawing it as 

 they begin to colour; syringing must then also be abandoned, 

 as it would destroy the rich bloom upon the berries. At the 

 earlier period of their growth, use the engine with considerable 

 force, first firom the right, and then from the left side of the 

 house, that both sides of the leaves may be thoroughly washed 

 morning and evening. Also leave a supply of water on the 

 pathway, and use fumigation of tobacco once a week to destroy 



