May 13, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
371 
jin 
COMING EVENTS 
JilllS 
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19 
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Orchid Exhibition at Birmingham (second daj). 
Quekett Club at 8 P.M. 
3rd Sunday afteb Easter. 
Royal Bolanio Society’s Summer Show. 
PLANTING VINES AND EARLY FORCING. 
HE old practice of planting Vines when dormant, 
or just as they are breaking into growth in 
spring, has almost become one of the systems of 
the past. It would doubtless die out if the con¬ 
venience existed in all gardening establishments 
for raising young Vines and planting them out 
in a growing state. Varied circumstances often 
prevent this being done, and therefore the good 
old system is resorted to in many cases with the 
most satisfactory results. 
However good or reliable the practice of planting 
ripened canes may be during the resting period or just 
as they are starting into growth, it cannot be favourably 
compared with planting young Vines from eyes in a growing 
state. Young Vines planted during the months of May, 
June, or July in a border prepared for them become 
thoroughly established before winter, and the second year 
make a stronger and better growth than would be the case 
if grown in pots for the whole of the first season. Nearly 
one season is saved by planting in a growing state, and the 
crop of fruit the second year will be nearly double from the 
temporary Vines what would be had from Vines turned out of 
pots and planted during the winter and spring. Planting when 
growing during the two first months named is only practi¬ 
cable where the Vines are home-grown for the purpose, and 
the greatest care is necessary, even under these circumstances, 
in preventing their being checked by removal from the 
house in which they have been growing to that in which they 
are to be planted. If they are purchased during the two 
former months, and have to travel any considerable distance 
they are almost certain to be seriously checked, and may be 
thrown back a whole season or more; the same progress will 
not then be made the following year as would follow if ripened 
canes were planted during the winter. 
When Vines are home-grown for planting they may 
either be grown in pots until they are planted out or without 
them. Either plan answers admirably, but I prefer to grow 
them in pots until they are ready for transferring from 6-inch 
to a larger size. From this stage, instead of placing them 
into 10-inch pots as is usual, I would rather place them in 
boxes 15 inches long, 7 inches deep, and 12 inches wide, 
with one moveable side, or plant them in soil arranged on 
large slates. In each case a whole sod the size of the box 
or slate should be placed at the base, so that they are easily 
slipped into the border without breaking the ball. From the 
time they are placed in boxes or planted upon slates they are 
better grown without the aid of bottom heat; they will not 
grow quite so rapidly, but they are none the worse, and are 
less liable to receive a check when planted in the border. 
When the canes are 2 or 3 feet in length it is a good plan to 
top them and remove the first lateral growth from the last 
expanded leaf. This will compel the main bud from the axil 
of the leaf to push and form a leader. The young Vine for 
a time appears to stand still, but it is making roots in 
No. 307.— Yol. XII., Third Series. 
quantity, and when the uppermost bud bursts again into 
growth the Vine will grow with increased vigour, and in 
strength will surpass un topped Vines. The base of the topped 
Vine will thicken very much more than those allowed to 
extend 5 or 6 feet before they are pinched, and the eyes at the 
base will be much more prominent and break with greater 
freedom the following season. When they start into growth 
after being topped they should be removed to the house in 
which they are to be planted. The temperature should be 
the same in their new quarters as that of the house from 
which they have been removed. Before planting them out 
they must remain in the house, standing upon the border, 
for a week or ten days, until it is certain they have not been 
checked by removal. 
Planting is a simple process, for they can be slipped from 
the boxes or slates into the border without disturbing a single 
root or breaking the ball. A good soaking of thoroughly 
warm water should be given, which will remove any doubt of 
the Vines being checked by the temperature of the border 
being lower than that of the house. The young Vines with 
plenty of root room will grow rapidly, and those intended for 
fruiting the following season may be pinched when they are 
5 or 6 feet in length and not allowed to extend further. The 
others may also be topped and then allowed to lead away 
again and extend to the top of the house if they can be 
thoroughly ripened ; if not, extension may be prevented in 
order to attain this desirable end. 
If Vines cannot be home-grown and planted out as 
advised they may safely be purchased in July or the following 
month, when the length of the cane has been developed and 
has commenced to turn brown at the base, without fear of 
their being seriously checked, provided they are hardened for 
transit and the whole of the main foliage preserved. It is 
much preferable to obtain Vines in this stage of growth and 
plant them out than to delay planting until the canes have 
ripened and the foliage has fallen. The balls of roots of such 
Vines when planted should not be broken or disturbed, for if 
the soil is pressed firmly round them the roots will quickly 
and freely enter the border. If an attempt is made to spread 
out the roots more harm than good will result. The notion 
that Vines seldom do well when planted with the balls of roots 
as turned out of the pots has no foundation in fact, as can 
readily be proved by existing Vines so planted. A moderately 
close moist atmosphere for a week or two after planting will 
soon excite such Vines into activity, and they will become 
well established in the border before winter, ready to make a 
vigorous growth the following season. When planted during 
the last month named, it is not wise to allow their growth to 
extend beyond the formation of a few leaves on the sub- 
laterals on each side of the Vines and at the top. If planted 
a month earlier more latitude in this respect may be 
allowed. It is surprising how the Vines will become estab¬ 
lished by the development of a few leaves only. From Vines 
planted during these months a very good crop of fruit may 
be taken from the temporary ones the following season, pro¬ 
vided the canes were well developed and moderately Btrong 
when planted. Next to planting Vines that have been home¬ 
grown and 3 feet in length we prefer the system detailed to 
any other that we have practised. 
Vines raised in one season from eyes can be thoroughly 
ripened, and will produce a good crop of fruit if they are not 
started into growth before January. When planted between 
Vines intended to form a permanent vinery they are very 
seldom started so early. The later they are started in the 
season the stronger they break into growth, and swell and 
finish much finer fruit than when pushed into growth early. 
Nowadays ripe Grapes are required by the end of April or 
early in the following month, and for this purpose Vines 
grown from eyes in one season are unsuitable. They are 
very often grown in pots for the supply of the earliest Grapes, 
but the crop from them so early in the season is not of the 
most satisfactory description. When subjected to such early 
No. 19G3.— Vol. LXXIV., Old Series. 
