ON THE CULTIVATION AND FORCINQ OF THE VINE. 93 
Having now offered some remarks on propagation, the pre¬ 
paration of the border, planting, and pruning, I will make a 
few concluding remarks, which will be devoted to the general 
management when forcing. In some places where forcing 
is carried on extensively, they begin as early as October or 
November; but at that early period pot-vines are generally 
employed, because a regular succession by propagation can be 
maintained, and those which have been forced can be thrown 
away. By commencing the excitement thus early in established 
vineries, the whole course of forcing is entirely against nature, 
and the consequence is, frequently, that in a few years the vines 
become languid and weak, and little or no fruit is the result. I 
consider December quite soon enough to start; the house ought 
to be shut close a fortnight previous to the application of heat, 
and when this is furnished with a pit, the latter may be filled 
with fermenting materials ; but where no such accommodation is 
to be had, make up a ridge of fermenting material all the length 
and inside of the house, which will serve the purpose nearly as 
well, although it may not be so pleasing to the eye; turn a por¬ 
tion of this every day: the steam arising therefrom will greatly 
assist the breaking of the vines. 
But while thus careful of the interior, we must not forget the 
border outside ; this ought to be carefully forked over, and 
covered with dung or leaves to the depth of eighteen inches or 
two feet, according as the supply will allow ; turn it at least 
every fortnight, and when the heat begins to decline, add some 
fresh materials, and on no account let the heat decline till the 
season is well advanced ; having got everything thus far ready, 
turn the tops of the vines towards the bottom, which will cause 
them to break more regularly ; the heat arising from the dung 
will be found quite sufficient, unless the weather is very severe ; 
the temperature may be from 45° to 50°, rising 3° every week, 
by fire heat, till it reaches 60°, which will be high enough till 
the vines begin to flower; admit but little or no air, till that 
time, as I consider the free admission of cold air chills the young 
wood at that early period of the year, and hence the cause of so 
many poor shanked bunches, which are but too frequently seen : 
syringe twice a day, with tepid water, till they are in leaf, when 
they will require to be tied up to the rafters ; afterwards syringe 
once or twice a day, according as the weather will permit, leav¬ 
ing it off entirely when the vines are in flower, and having then 
