It is to be feared that many Vines in Scotland, owing to the very cold sunless summer, may not be so well ripened as they should be. Where such is the case they should be subjected to more or less lire-heat, and a circulation of air according to their condition. This of course applies to such Vines as the Grapes are all cut from. If not already attended to, every superfluous lateral should be taken off, so that light and air can have free access to the wood and main leaves while there is a chance of sunshine. All Grapes intended to keep through the winter should now be perfectly ripe, and if they are not so, the ripening should be assisted with fire-heat. Look over all Grapes that have been ripe for some time, at intervals of a few days, and remove every shrivelled, or mouldy berry as it appears. Keep everything about them dry, and ventilate freely, except in very damp weather. Vines planted this year, and that have grown strongly and been allowed to make a rambling lateral growth, should be slightly pruned to let light and air about all the growths that are likely to ripen properly under the influence of fire-heat and a free circulation of air.

Vines from winch Grapes are to be ripened early next year should be pruned as soon as the leaves drop, and should be prepared in the usual way for starting at the proper time. If any portion of their roots is in an outside border, let it be covered up at once with dry litter, to conserve the natural heat that is in the soil. All mulchings of manure that have been laid on borders in the course of the season to nourish the crops should be removed early this month, and a dressing of bone-meal be forked into the surface of the border, which should lie uncovered to receive the sweetening influence of the air till the approach of frost. Every Vine-border should be so exposed for a period every year. If pot-Vines intended for early forcing have been standing outdoors, remove them to some place where they can be protected from heavy rains.

Vine Forcing #1

Ripe Grapes are more subject to mould and decay in November than any other month, and every precaution must be taken to prevent it. Keep the night temperature as near 50° as possible, and on all line days give a free circulation of air, making fires if necessary to expel the damp. Keep the front ventilators closed during fogs, but open the top ones a little, keeping sufficient heat in the pipes to prevent stagnation. Look to every bunch at least twice weekly, and remove every bad berry. Do not allow a pot-plant in the vinery that requires water, and see that no decaying leaves on leaf-stalks are allowed to hang on the Vines. Prune all Vines that have cast their leaves, and if there has been any red-spider on them during the season of growth, remove all loose bark and scrub the Vines with a hardish brush and soapy water; then dress with Gishurst's Compound at the rate of 10 oz. to the gallon of water. Where ripe Grapes are required from pot-Vines in April, the Vines should now be placed in the house where they are to be forced, and all put in readiness in connection with it for starting them next month.

If they can be placed so that they may have a gentle bottom - heat, it will be a great help in getting them to start into growth; and if placed on a bed of soil into which they can root through the bottom of the pots after active growth is commenced, they will derive much benefit from it. There are now so many Grapes that can be kept in good condition both on the Vines and in Grape-rooms, that it is not necessary nor desirable to start permanent Vines till the end of December. The outside borders of these should now be well covered with dry fern or straw. It is presumed that the surface of the borders of all early vineries have been properly cared for as directed in former Calendars. If any of the summer top-dressings are still on borders of later Vines they should be removed now, and all inert soil that may be immediately underneath them. Lay on a few inches of fresh loam and a good dressing of bone-meal, and fork it into the surface of the border; then lay on five or six inches of farmyard manure, and a sprinkling of dry litter over all to keep frost out of the border. Examine the main drains that carry water away from the foundation of borders, and see that there is a free water-way. Complete all necessary alterations in heating, painting, and repairs while Vines are dormant.

Where new Vine- orders are to be made, and the soil for such is not yet collected, lose no time in attending to it, and if possible protect it from rains till it is put into the border. A rather strong loam lying on a thoroughly drained bottom gives the most satisfactory crops of Grapes for a length of time, and the mere turf from light sandy soils is the least satisfactory.