232 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the best results. Not only is plenty of foliage necessary, but 

 abundance of softened light throughout the season is required 

 to bring Muscats to that perfection of colour which is so much 

 prized in this beautiful Grape. Crowding in every way must 

 be strictly avoided with this variety. Cultivators must propor- 

 tion the distance between the vines to the space at their 

 disposal, but Muscats can be advantageously allowed at least 

 double the distance given to any of the varieties of black Grapes 

 with the exception of the very strong growers. 



Resting and Starting. — Passing over the period during which 

 the vines are growing into bearing condition, a few remarks are 

 needed in reference to the resting and starting of late vines, 

 for both are very important points in the annual life and pro- 

 longed existence of the plant. When Grapes are kept hanging 

 in the vineries very late, several difficulties present themselves 

 in the resting process, for though sufficient dryness, both of air 

 and soil, can be easily provided, it frequently occurs that this is 

 carried too far in studying the fruit, and the vines suffer in con- 

 sequence ; it is also inconvenient, whilst the fruit is hanging, to 

 expose the canes to the maturing influence of air sufficiently to 

 ensure a thorough resting. It, therefore, often happens that late 

 vines are not "rested" as they should be, and this process is 

 either unduly prolonged to bring about the required result, or 

 they are restarted in an unfit state, and this leads to many evils 

 difficult to counteract by after-treatment. It is most undesirable 

 and dangerous to have borders continually saturated with water 

 at the resting time, yet it is easy to err in the opposite direction, 

 and with, perhaps, even worse consequences. Vine-roots continue 

 active for a time after the leaves fall, and too great a deficiency of 

 moisture checks the absorption before it is beneficial to do so, 

 as the vine requires a considerable store to keep it in good con- 

 dition and to provide for the demands of the young growth at 

 starting time. With inside borders this can be regulated 

 according to requirements, but it is especially unwise to have 

 borders excessively dry when Grapes are still hanging and im- 

 proving. It is better to risk the application of a good supply of 

 water to the borders, as this is not half so dangerous to the 

 keeping of the fruit as some suppose, if the ventilation be pro- 

 perly regulated, than to allow the soil to get into a dust-dry con- 

 dition, to the detriment of the Grapes and the vines also. Of 



