672 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



not to allow too many leaves? on the lateral shoots. It is the large leaves at 

 the base of the fniiting-branches, near to the main stem, that are of most con- 

 sequence. The buds at their base will yield next year's crop, and the fuller, 

 rounder, and more plump they become, the larger that crop will be. The 

 great point is to maintain these leaves in health without inducing new growth 

 or causing the buds to break. A comparatively dry atmosphere and cool 

 temperature are the chief things necessary for this. These are also the main 

 desiderata for preserving grapes as long as possible. An excess of drought 

 and sudden alternations of temperature are, however, almost as injurious as 

 too much water. If the latter induces decay, the former causes the fruit to 

 shrivel, and robs them of that luscious satisfying goodness which is the chief 

 charm of first-rate grapes. 



1806. Pvipe grapes must be frequently looked over, and every specked berry 

 be at once removed. If mildew makes its appearance in the late houses, 

 paint the pipes with a mixture of equal parts lime and sulphur, and 

 sprinkle the infested parts with dry sulphur. Prevention, however, is much 

 better than cure ; and I have invariably painted all my pipes annually, and 

 have never had any mildew. The fumes of the sulphiir from hot pipes can do 

 no harm ; they are not disagreeable, and I believe they are a certain pre- 

 ventive of mildew. 



1807. Flues, however, must not be painted over near the fire, as the 

 slightest ignition of sulphur produces sulphurous acid, and would destroy 

 eveiy leaf. Leave air on all vineries night and day, except where the air is 

 admitted by the roof-lights in wet weather ; but where the ventilation is given 

 by openings in the wall, a little air should be constantly left on the 

 house, and fire used in rainy weather to maintain the requisite tem- 

 perature. Sixty degrees is high enough for all ripe grapes ; but late Mus- 

 cats, now ripening, should enjoy a minimum of 70°, rising to 85° or 90° with 

 sun-heat. See that grapes intended to keep till January, February, or 

 March, are well thinned : the Muscat of Alexandria and the West St. Peter's 

 are the best adapted for this purpose. 



. 1808. Peach-House. — The lights may now be removed for six weeks from the 

 early peach-house ; or if this is not practicable, as much air as possible 

 should be given night and day. 



1809. Orchard-Houses cannot have too much air. Where no fire is used, 

 sometimes late varieties of peaches, &c., are grown here, to come in after the 

 fruit out of doors. Fruit on the north side of an orchard-house, with a 

 thorough draught through the house, will be a month or six weeks later than 

 the same varieties on a south or west wall. Maintain all the trees in the 

 most perfect health, and liberally water those in pots with manure-water. 



i8io. Figs require plenty of water when in full growth : in fact, in this 

 state they may be treated almost like aquatics. The second crop of fruit will 

 now be ripening, and those who wish for a third crop in November and 

 December should have stopped the shoots in the middle of August ; but 

 where a very early crop is required, the shoots must not be stoi~iped after this 



