Angnst 3\ 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
165 
W HATEVER may be urged in favour of “cut-backs ” for early 
forcing (that is, canes of moderate size, or those suitable for 
planting) or the reverse, it cannot be questioned that firm, stout, 
well-ripened canes can be produced in one season from eyes. The 
svstem of using cut-backs for this purpose in many establishments 
is practically obsolete. Keen competition and principles of economy 
have had much to do with this, for all must admit it is needless to 
grow a plant two years if the same results can be achieved in one. 
(rood canes that will fruit freely can be produced in one, but they 
bear no comparison for early forcing with those that are the result 
of two years’ growth. But the growth and treatment of the two, 
while in some respects they are the same, must in others be totally 
dissimilar. This assertion will, I think, be largely borne out by 
the practice of those who have to force them and produce the fruit 
in a ripe condition. Those grown from eyes are suitable for 
forcing after Christmas, and for that period of the year are equally 
as good as two-year-old canes, but for the production of ripe fruit by 
the first week in May they are not suitable. It may be necessary 
for comparison to trace briefly the two systems of culture. 
Cut-backs, such as I have described, have in some establishments 
given place to a much smaller kind of cane for the purpose. These 
are the latest of those raised from eyes, and are only shifted once 
from the pot in which the eyes were started. As a rule they are 
accorded a makeshift place, and finally grown under the shade of 
those intended for fruiters. This is not always the case, but they 
usually have second-rate positions. They are allowed to attain 
from 15 inches to 2 feet in height, and are then pinched as many 
times during the season as requisite to keep them in that condition. 
Young Vines of this description are preferable to cutting back 
planting canes only from one point of view, and that is because 
they do not entail the same labour or take up the same amount of 
space. I have never viewed these stunted youngsters in a favour¬ 
able light. Grown in the shade and confined at their roots, they 
cannot possibly be in the most satisfactory condition for growing 
vigorously the followiog season. The principle of pinching them 
is right, provided they were placed in 8, instead or 6-inch or smaller 
pots, and grown and ripened under the influence of full light and 
sunshine. Such Vines would be much better than the ordinary 
cane grown G or 7 feet in length and then pinched. The latter 
concentrates its energies in the production of plump buds and wood 
at the top, while the other thickens at the base and has bold buds 
from which to start the following season. Canes grown either from 
cut-backs or these small Vines are no better for the production of 
ernes for early forcing if they are only pushed along side by side 
with those that are grown from eyes. By February they should 
have 2 to 3 feet of growth, and from that time extend rapidly 
until the desired length has been attained, and then stopped. By 
the middle of May they will have developed almost to their full 
size and the work of solidity be well advanced. However good the 
treatment of those from eyes may be, they cannot attain this 
condition for at least three months later. The one by that time is 
thoroughly matured, the other has to mature. Which, then, is the 
best for early forcing, a cut-back well and properly grown, or one 
from an eye ? There is no comparison, for the first has enjoyed a 
good season of repose before the other loses it3 foliage, if that is 
cared for in its last stages. If Vines raised in a season are used 
No. 427.— Vol. XVII., Third Series. 
f >r early forcing, the foliage is removed prematurely, they are 
robbed of a season of rest ; refusing to start into growth by gentle 
means, it must be forced out of them, and Vines subjected to 
such treatment seldom perfect their crop of fruit. 
Cutting back canes of the ordinary planting stamp is not re¬ 
garded with much favour, because, as a rule, they rarely make such 
good canes as those grown from eyes. Under any circumstances 
they are the thickest at the base, but do not attain the same size 
and strength at the top. Three reasons may be adduced why cut¬ 
backs do not succeed as well as those raised from eyes, due entirely 
to the system of culture accorded them during their latter stages of 
growth and the method of p itting adapted. For some years it has 
been the practice to turn Vines outside in full leaf during 
September after the canes have turned brown. Early frosts would 
destroy the whole of the foliage in a night. Sudden or untimely 
destruction of the foliage means destruction to the greater part, if 
not the whole, of the fibry roots. They are in an immature state, 
and must naturally perish as well as the leaves. The practice of 
turning out Vines may be more successful in the southern parts of 
the country than in the north ; but the system has extended to the 
north. It is an uncertain plan, and the risk is great anywhere. 
The foliage should be preserved as long as possible—that is, all the 
main leaves, until they naturally present an autumnal appearance. 
Towards the end of August, or at the latest by the middle of the 
following month, when the temperature in which they are growing 
is considerably lowered, remove all the laterals, so that the energies 
of the plant can be concentrated in storing food for future use and 
the full development of the buds. Leaving the laterals on until 
the foliage ripens is only a waste of material. Who would think of 
destroying the whole of the foliage in a late vinery directly the 
fruit was ripe ? To do so would be regarded as madness. A pot 
Vine raised from an eye is in exactly the same condition, and yet 
ttiey are too frequently subjected to such barbarous treatment, and 
are then expected to fruit or do well another season when they are 
cut back I have dealt rather more fully with this part of the 
subject than I intended, as it is of such importance that it is 
necessary to impress upon those who grow Vines for sile the 
desirability of providing shelter for them in their last stages of 
development. 
The third reason is due to the system of potting. If we 
suppose those to be cut back have matured their foliage and roots, 
considerable quantities of the latter are destroyed by disentangling 
them and shaking away the whole of the old compost. This is a 
serious check to the Vines, and one, if not the main reason, why 
cut-backs do not give satisfaction the second season. For years I 
have failed to see what advantages could follow such a severe 
system of root-pruning. If we dig up an Apple or Pear tree we 
do not expect it to grow with the same vigour the following 
season, and why should the Vine be an exception to this rule ? 
When the Vines are to be fruited and then thrown out there is 
not the slightest occasion for shaking them out whea repotting 
them. If the roots would not take kindly to the new compost 
then the case would be different, but when potted the roots take 
possession of the new soil with as much freedom as those of any 
other plant. If well-ripened cane3 are wanted from cut-backs they 
must be started into growth early on the same principles as estab¬ 
lished Vines, an! not plunged in strong bottom heat to force root 
activity before the top growth is sufficiently advanced. This is too 
often done in the hope of assisting Nature, and thus gain greater 
achievements, while the very opposite results. 
I have repeatedly proved that cut-backs can be grown into- 
stronger canes when they are potted with the ball of soil intact, 
merely removing the old drainage, surface soil, and a little round 
the top of the ball, than can be accomplished by shaking the whole 
of the soil from them. Cut-backs of this description and strong 
fruiting canes as well potted will fill their pots with roots during 
the season. When the Vine3 are repotted does not matter in the 
No. 2083 .—Vol. LXXIX., Old Series. 
