24 THE BOOK OF THE GRAPE 



vinery close until the thermometer registers from seventy- 

 five degrees to eighty degrees, at which point the top 

 ventilators should be slightly opened, afterwards in- 

 creasing the amount of air thus given as the temperature 

 continues to rise (opening the front vents a little at the 

 same time) until by noon the ventilators, front and 

 top, may be opened to their full extent. It may also 

 be necessary to open the doors in very hot weather with 

 a view to preventing the temperature in the several 

 vineries rising above ninety degrees. But should the 

 thermometer register even one hundred degrees in these 

 circumstances, it does not matter in the least so long as 

 the vines are moist at the roots and moisture is distributed 

 in the vineries twice before closing in the afternoon 

 say at eleven and one o'clock in order to counteract 

 the drying influence of the sun and to promote a genial 

 atmosphere. From the time the grapes come into 

 flower until they have " set " or formed into berries, 

 a drier and more airy atmosphere should be observed, 

 and, from the time the berries begin to colour until the 

 bunches are cut, a free circulation of air should be 

 admitted day and night. However, during the period 

 of growth, from the time that the leaves are being 

 developed until the grapes begin to colour, draughts 

 must be guarded against, as a current of cold air 

 coming in contact with the young leaves and berries 

 might produce undesirable results. During these stages 

 of growth, the front ventilators should be used with 

 great care and judgment when the wind is cold ; in fact, 

 in these circumstances, all the fresh air that is necessary 

 can be admitted through the roof ventilators. In the 

 case of an early vinery in which grapes are to be ripe 

 in April, a strip of tiffany secured inside the vinery to 

 the plates and end mullions immediately in front of the 

 front ventilators will admit of as much fresh air reaching 

 the interior of the house as is needful for the welfare of 



