534 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



The character of Grapes grown under the influence of a moist, steamy 

 atmosphere, with a less amount of ventilation, is very different to 

 those managed on the drier and more airy system. There is not only 

 a flabbiness and dropsical character produced in the whole growth of 

 Vines under close moist treatment, but the fruit, as all experienced 

 Grape-growers know, partakes of this characteristic. The berries 

 may perhaps be larger, but they will be less fleshy and more tender 

 skinned. In short, a predisposition to ferment and rot when the 

 trying season comes is imparted to them. On the other hand, 

 when cultivated on the dry and airy system, the berries are firmer, 

 and the whole system of the Vine gets into a more matured or 

 ripened state. We consider it of much importance that Grape crops 

 — especially those in the northern parts of our kingdom — should 

 be completely ripe by the first week of October, and finished, too, 

 under the influence of a circulation of dry warm air, produced, if 

 the season render it necessary, by fire -heat. Unless Grapes are 

 thoroughly ripened, and the sugary matter in them well developed, 

 they are much more likely to ferment under the influence of too 

 much moisture at the roots of the Vines or in the air of the Vinery. 

 Grapes ripened in a light and large airy Vinery are much more likely 

 to be ripened off in that condition which not only constitutes them 

 better Grapes, but also much easier of keeping well after they are 

 ripe. 



Turning now to the leading points of management in keeping Grapes 



after they are quite ripe : there can be no doubt that the most disastrous 



failures have occurred from the want of studying the laws of heat and 



moisture in their relation to the Grapes. If water stagnates about the 



roots of Vines in winter, that alone is enough to cause the Grapes to 



mould and decay. But the more general cause of failure arises from 



moisture settling on the bunches. The drainage of the border should 



be thorough. Not only so, but, in wet localities especially, it will be an 



advantage to throw heavy rains off the border by means of wooden 



shutters or tarpauling, after the middle of October at the latest. 



Still, and although this precaution of protection from rains is desirable, 



we could point to many cases of the most perfect success where such 



protection was never adopted, but where the borders were well drained. 



The chief secret of success lies in the ventilation and firing of the 



Vinery ; and when these points are judiciously carried out. Grapes 



often keep well, while other matters may only be second-rate. First, 



it is necessary that the berries be more severely thinned than for 



summer Grapes, so that the air can circulate about the whole of the 



berries ; for it is damp settling on the berries that produces the 



mischief, and, as a consequence, this is the thing by all means to 



