140 ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW-YORK 



nor will they need any explanation of the superior health of the 

 former. 



The injury which the grape suffers from climatic causes, is well 

 illustrated by the action of grape houses. In them we seek to 

 produce both length and uniformity of season, and thus to secure 

 the climate of Greece or California. The first phase of infelici- 

 tous weather noticed above, (cold wet changes), is rendered 

 harmless by enclosure under glass. The second phase, (hot 

 damps), is guarded against by wise watering and ventilation, 

 during the continuance of such weather. The consequence is 

 that, in well managed vineries, we secure the health and luxu- 

 riance of growth, and delicioasness of fruit, of eastern climes. 

 Then again, by the aid of such protections, not only is the 

 autumnal growth of the wood rendered more perfect, and thus 

 better prepared to meet the severity of winter, but that severity, 

 whether of severe freezing or changefulness, is itself mitigated 

 by shelter. It deserves here to be emj^thatically noticed that, in 

 a fine equable season, like 1852 or 1854, grapes grown in open 

 culture are equally healthful and delicious with those grown in 

 vineries. In the past history of grape culture, little attention 

 has been given to the influence of climatic causes on its health. 

 In the verv few cases recorded in the annual volumes of the 

 Patent Office Reports, I find a growing conviction that the 

 diseases of the grape are somehow connected with the irregular- 

 ities of the weather. See Report for 1848, pg. 167, Longworth's 

 report; 1849, pg. 287, NeaPs report; 1852, pg. 299, Jesse Mor- 

 gan's report, which has the ring of true philosophy; 1853, pg. 

 302, Frederick Munch's report. " The Horticulturist," edited by 

 the late A. J. Downing, may be consulted on this point, see vol.1849, 

 Sept.,p 114, Prof. Turner's Memoranda; 1851, March, p. 122, Prof. 

 Turner's article. In the number for June, 1852, in the last 

 leader but one written by Mr. Downing before his death, I find a 

 clear hint of the true philosophy on the subject, — the only one 

 I have noticed in his writings. Had he lived and devoted his 

 attention to the subject, we might have hoped for an able eluci- 

 dation of it. 



3. CuixURE, AS AFFECTING THE HEALTH OF THE GrAPE. lu tllC 



loose use of this word, I shall include under it means of propa- 

 gation, trimming, and culture, properly so called. 



