THE COLD GRAPERY. 251 



planted. If the y^W is of wood, it can easily be cut to 

 suit the size of the vine. The plants we used were strong 

 one-year-old vines, and were set about June 1st. By 

 October they had grown to over twenty feet in length. 

 In November they were cut back to the bottom of the 

 rafter, or about three feet from the ground, and quickly 

 reached the top again the second year, with firm, well- 

 ripened wood. In November following they were again 

 pruned back to about five feet above the foot of the 

 rafter, or eight feet from the ground. These shoots 

 produced the 300 pounds of fruit referred to (the third 

 year from the time of planting). The fourth year they 

 reached the top of the rafter, when a much larger crop was 

 taken. The varieties used were nine-tenths Black Ham- 

 burgh, with a few Muscats and Frontignans, all of which 

 have done exceedingly well, and have now been in bearing 

 nearly twenty years. Since they liave been in full bearing, 

 which was five years from the time of planting, they have 

 averaged, one year with another, 1250 pounds of splendid 

 grapes, or about one pound for every square foot of base 

 surface. 



Every December we lay the vines down alcng the front 

 wall after being pruned, covering them completely with 

 soil until May, when they are taken up and tied to the 

 wires, which are one-sixteenth inch galvanized iron, and 

 run across the rafters fifteen inches apart and fifteen inches 

 from the glass. The training followed is what is called 

 the ''spur" system, which is simply to allow one cane or 

 shoot to each rafter (or three feet apart), and pruning 

 the side shoots or "bearing wood'' annually back to one 

 eye, which is the same plan advised for hardy grapes. 

 In the summer treatment of the cold grapery, the prin- 

 ciple must never be lost sight of, that to keep the vines 

 m perfect health, a temperature of not less than seventy 

 degrees at night, with ten or fifteen degrees higher dur- 

 ing the day, is always necessary. Any rapid variation 



