Forcing

This is sometimes commenced in September, but the close of the next month is sufficiently early. Mr. Appleby, of Macclesfield, gives the following very full and excellent directions: - "In places where there are a number of houses devoted to the vine, it is possible to have ripe grapes all the year round. To accomplish this completely, six houses are necessary, though it may in some degree be done with three. In the former case, the first house ought to be started at the end of October, the second on the first of December, and so on, the first day of every month till April. Where there are but three houses, it will be early enough to commence the first house in November, the second in February, and the third in April. To cause the vines to break equally all the length of the shoot, tie them down to the front windows, until the buds are all expanded, that one part of it may not be more excited than another.

"When every bud has pushed, carefully separate the vines one by one; and as it is convenient, regulate the shoots, stop them, and thin the number of branches, and do all that is required. Then tie them up loosely to the rafter; and should they hang down a foot from the glass, it is an advantage, especially during the early part of the season".

Syringing And Steaming

"During the time of forcing the vine (unless they are in blossom) and the ripening of the fruit, syringe them freely with rainwater, morning and evening, all over; also steam the houses by pouring water on the pipes or flues, to keep up a moisture in the air. It is beneficial to the growth of the plant, swells the berries, and keeps down the red spider. While the vines are in blossom, refrain from syringing, but use the steam freely.

"When the berries begin to colour, also cease syringing; but use the steam a fortnight longer, though only at night. As soon as the grapes are nearly ripe, keep as dry an atmosphere as possible, both to give the fruit a good flavour, and to ripen the wood".

Covering The Border

"This in the early part of the forcing season is absolutely necessary, using either light horse-litter, or fresh-gathered leaves. No frost must be allowed to reach the stems or roots; if it does, the vines will droop when the sun shines, and the bunches will be crippled, and perhaps never come out properly. A tarpaulin is useful to cover the litter and dung, to keep off the heavy rains and snow".

Temperature

"Commence forcing the vine with a low temperature. The first week keep up the heat to 50o, the second to 60°, the third to 65°, and the fourth to 70 Night temperature about 10° lower. A good rule is 60o for vines in leaf, and 70° when blooming and ripening fruit; the night temperature may then be 20s lower".

Setting The Fruit

"To effect the setting of the fruit, and more especially in the earlier part of the forcing season, use a camel-hair pencil to disperse the pollen on the stigmas. Some kinds of grapes have very little pollen, while others have plenty to spare. In this case take a sheet of white paper, and hold it under the bunch that has abundance of pollen, gently shake the bunch, and then with the camel-hair pencil apply the pollen to such kinds as are deficient".