JULY. 207 



desirable that no great number of berries should have to be taken 

 away at the second look over. 



The thinning over, but little remains to do, as we are presuming now 

 to be in the month of June, and that the Grapes are not to have more 

 assistance than what the season affords (excepting during long-con- 

 tinued wet weather, when a little fire-heat should be given them). The 

 chief point in their summer management to attend to will be the 

 admission of air. But as we have given in former papers directions on 

 this head, we shall only repeat that air must he given hberally each 

 day — not merely noticing how high the thermometer is, for air must be 

 supplied without reference at all times to the height of the temperature ; 

 for instance, in dull cloudy weather the thermometer may not reach 

 higher than 60°, and yet air is then as absolutely necessary as when it 

 indicates 75° with a bright sun. A small circulation should be per- 

 mitted by night (see back papers) by leaving an inch or two back and 

 front ; this should be increased early each morning, and again, as the 

 state of the weather indicates, closing the house for two or three hours 

 each afternoon, and again giving air for the night, as a comparatively 

 low night temperature will not injure the more hardy kinds of (.'rapes, 

 provided it follows bright days ; but after a continuance of wet or sun- 

 less days I have often noticed that Grapes suffer, and this, in my 

 opinion, is one cause of shanking, and therefore I advise slight fires 

 by day, during such weather. The day temperature may range up to 

 80° or 85° if accompanied by air, and the house may be closed at this 

 temperature, as the temperature will gradually decline with the day, 

 and the night ventilation will keep it down to 60° or 65° during the 

 hottest part of the season. My practice is to make the most of the 

 sun -heat by day, under the conditions that air shall accompany it till 

 towards evening, when the closing takes place, and by husbanding the 

 afternoon sun, I get an increase of heat for three or four hours ; this 

 assists the Vines, and does no injury, as the heat of the house gradually 

 cools down by the evening, when the night ventilation prevents any- 

 thing like a stagnation of air in the house ; and by keeping the air in 

 motion the healthy action of the foliage is secured, and one great cause 

 of shanking prevented ; indeed I think (as before noticed) this evil 

 owes its origin in a great measure to a close confined atmosphere, par- 

 ticularly if attended with a low temperature. 



During the summer the lateral growths must be stopped, leaving one 

 joint each time ; but in August these growths should be cut back to the 

 last joint, provided the leaf at that joint is healthy. This will admit 

 more light into the house, and at this season there will be little danger 

 of their breaking again, and consequently the eyes on the spur will be 

 benefited as well as the fruit. 



By the middle or end of August the fruit will be perceived to be 

 changing colour, when the sprinkling of the floors, &c., should be gra- 

 dually withheld, until it ceases altogether as the Vines ripen ; for at 

 this period the house should be kept as dry as possible, and a fire made 

 to warm the flues and dry the air of the house in wet weather. 



We have said nothing about the borders ; as, however, the borders, 

 if constructed according to directions, will allow of water in quantities to 



