THE cultivation of Vines in pots for early forcing - now an established custom in gardens - was perhaps the best idea that ever suggested itself to modern cultivators of the Grape Vine. It has saved the permanent Vines in early-houses from being forced at an unnatural season, and it is always a ready means of filling up a gap temporarily when other resources have failed. It is also an excellent plan of utilising space, for a season or so, after young Vines have been planted in new houses, as well as affording scope for variety in cases where aspirants to Grape-culture in a small way desire to have mixed subjects in the same house.

We refer briefly to the advantages of pot-Vine culture, not with the idea of giving an introductory harangue, but with a wholesome dread of some one who has been well served by the system misunderstanding our intention - which is not that of suggesting a plan which would supersede the pot-Vine system, but simply to suggest a plan that would supplement it.

The idea of forcing Vines in pits first suggested itself to us on account of our being engaged in weeding out an old place; and it is well known that it would be inevitable ruin to permanent Vines to force them early the second or third year after planting. Pot-Grapes are very good and most useful through the month of April and the early part of the month of May; but after that date they compare badly with produce cut from established Vines.

We would therefore recommend extended root-room for early Vines, where such space is available, and where the production of early Grapes of good quality is expected and appreciated. The style of forcing-pit which we have used for this purpose is span-roofed, and is 11 feet wide, with a path up the centre - width of bed for soil, 3-1/2 feet, and depth 3 feet, including 6 inches for drainage. A greater depth of bed can easily be secured where it is considered necessary, by sinking the drainage below the path and running a drain up the centre of the bed, with a gradual fall to whichever end there is the best and easiest outlet for a clear watercourse. For our own part, we are content with 6 inches of drainage, and 2 1/2 feet of soil, for a temporary purpose like the one recommended, which is in principle only an extension of the pot-Vine system. Too much rooting space would just be as bad as too little, because, in the former case, Vines are apt to grow too vigorously for the first two or three years. To produce compact, well-coloured bunches, the aim should therefore be to hit upon that degree of extension which, under ordinary careful treatment, would induce such a condition of root-growth as would be favourable to, and promote a moderate and fertile development in, the branches.

This is characterised by what is termed short-jointed canes in nurserymen's catalogues; and the condition, whether absent or present, may be ascribed rather to the system of ventilation and atmospheric treatment than to the natural or mechanical nature of the soil.

Vines like obstruction at the root; and resistance is especially desirable in the case we are treating of. Who that has had much to do with the management of Vines has not noticed how, when a young root comes in contact with a piece of brickbat, and its course is impeded, it coils itself round the rubble and breaks up into a number of small hardy fibres, which give real sustenance, increased vitality, and fruiting power to the Vine.

Practice has taught us, in Vine-growing more than in anything else, the conditions which are most favourable in producing temporary or permanent results; and there is no condition more apparent or obviously necessary than that of providing the Vine with feeders which come into play at once when the object is a temporary one. If this be so - and there is abundant proof that it is - in making the border there ought to be a quantity of broken rubble mixed with the soil, and no manurial matter added whatever. The border being made, the next matter to be decided is the selection of such varieties of Grapes as are already tested, and are known to be early in their different kinds and of acknowledged quality. Such a selection would be found in Black Hamburg, Madresfield Court, Duke of Buccleuch, and Foster's Seedling; and if space could be found for Chasselas Musque, and one or two Frontignans (which are being inquired after, and are soon destined to resume their undoubted position in point of excellence among early Grapes), so much the better.

We have planted Madresfleld Court one year, and fruited it the next, on the principle recommended, in company with Black Hamburg and Foster's Seedling, and it carried six handsome bunches which were ready for table in June - the Hamburg being fit for use a month earlier. This Grape deserves a house to itself; and with Duke of Buccleuch along with it, would furnish such Grapes for dessert as would enhance the estimate of early Grapes, and encourage and enlarge the area of early forcing.

With respect to Vines for planting, we would treat the matter on a commercial basis rather than on personal notions. Accommodation is everything, and Vines can be grown too dear where space is limited. Vines that can be purchased from a nurseryman at a reduced price at this season of the year are much cheaper to those who require the space that would be occupied in growing young Vines from eyes. Take a crop of Melons, for instance, a single fruit of which is not to be purchased of any worth much under a guinea before the beginning of June; compare the relative value of each crop, and there is a very handsome margin, commercially speaking, in favour of buying the Vines: but there are others who may think differently, and it is therefore better to take both sides of the question. If the Vines are to be purchased, this should be done some time between November and February. They can be turned out of their pots, which will save something in carriage, and be repotted again after arriving at their destination.