ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

no S -U M A T R A.
which time they attain, according as the foil is fertile, the height of
eight to twelve feet, and begin to ihew their fruit. Then the operation
of turning down, is performed; for which, moderate rainy weather
is neceffary. They are cut off about three feet from the ground, and
being loofened from the prop, are bent into the earth, in fuch a manner,
that the upper end returns to the roots; the vine lying horizontally,
and forming a kind of circle. This, by laying as it were a new
foundation, is fuppofed to give freih vigor to the plants, and they bear
plentifully the enfuing feafon; whereas, if permitted to run up in the
natural way, they would exhauft themfelves in leaves, and produce but
little fruit. The garden fhould be turned down at the feafon, when
the cluflers begin to ripen ; and there is faid to be a great nicety in hitting
the exact time ; for if it be done too foon, the vines fometimes do
not bear for three years afterwards, like frefh plants; and on the other
hand alfo, the produce is retarded, when they omit to turn them down
till after the fruit is gathered; which, avarice of prefent, at the expence
of future advantage, fometimes inclines them to. It is not very material
how many Hems the vine may have, in its firft growth, but after turning
down, two only, (or if very ftrong, one) muft be fuffered to rife,
and cling to the chinkareen : more are fuperfluous, and only weaken
the whole. The furplus number may however be advantageoufly ufed,
by being cut off at the root, on turning down, and tranfplanted either
to the chinkareens, whofe vines have failed, or to- others, encreafing the
garden. With thefe offsets, whole gardens may be at once planted, and
the flem thus removed will bear as .foon, or nearly fo,.as.that from which
it has been taken. The chinkareen intended to receive them muff, of
courfe, be proportionably large. Where the plants or offsets of this
kind (called lado angore), can be procured in plenty, froni gardens that
are turning down, they are fometimes planted of the full.fiz* 1 , two fathoms;
by which means, fruit maybe obtained, at fajtheft, by-the fecpnd feafon.
The luxuriant fide-fhoots from the vines, are to be plucked off; as well
as thofe that creep along the ground, unlefs where they may be required
for plants; and if the head of the vine becomes tQO.bujhy, it muft be
pruned away..
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