NOTICE OF A VISIT TO PITMASTON. 235 



ment would greatly tend to render the temperature more uniform, 

 and consequently better for vegetation. At all events, recur- 

 ring to Mr. Williams's vinery, it can be stated that the vines were 

 exceedingly healthy and in a good bearing condition. They were 

 planted 44 years ago inside the house, but their roots have access 

 to the border outside, the front wall being on arches. The house 

 is heated by a brick flue from the fire-place at the east end, run- 

 ning along the front and west end, there terminating in a sheet- 

 iron tube carried up inside. The front portion of the flue has 

 a direct communication with a hinged iron safety-valve to pre- 

 vent the flue from bursting. The valve is framed in iron, set 

 in the brick-work of the end ; it is 8 by 6 inches, terminates 

 the hollow of the front flue, and opens to the external air. Un- 

 der ordinary circumstances it is kept shut by its own weight ; 

 but internal pressure, resulting from the explosion of inflam- 

 mable gases collected in the flue, would readily open it and 

 permit their escape outwards. Many crops of grapes have been 

 destroyed in consequence of this simple precaution not having 

 been adopted. 



More vines had been originally planted in the house than were 

 required to fill it. Sorts which proved not satisfactory were in- 

 arched with their preferable neighbours, the tops of the former 

 being then dispensed with, but their roots kept employed. The 

 present branches, in some instances, were thus connected with 

 three distinct root-stocks. In all such cases, one root would 

 have supported branches enough to fill the space of roof allotted 

 for those supported by the three ; but then the roots of those 

 sorts not required would have been left to perish in the border ; 

 and dead or dying roots of trees are considered to affect injuri- 

 ously the living roots of the same species that chance to come in 

 contact with them, at least until such time as the decomposition 

 of the decaying roots attains a certain stage. It is true the 

 twigs and leaves of vines prove, for vines, a good manure ; but 

 they are parts which are much more easily decomposed into com- 

 pounds which plants can assimilate, than is the case with roots. 

 Some kinds of the latter have been found, undiminished in size, 

 although dead for many years, a watery, spongy mass which 

 living spongelets seem to dislike. Mr. Williams has the shoots 

 of his vines stopped, first, when they are coming into flower, and 

 again when the berries are of the size of peeis. 



(To be continued.) 



K 2 



