29 



CHAPTER V. 



STRUCTURES FOR GRAPE GROWING. 



IS regards Structures or Houses for the cultivation of Grapes, the 

 greatest latitude may be allowed. Vines are most accommo- 

 dating in this respect, and will grow in structures of any form or 

 size that either convenience or fancy may dictate, provided the 

 atmospheric conditions aie made suitable. It is not to be assumed, 

 however, that certain structures are not better adapted for their 

 respective requirements than others. It is the little differences or 

 deviations from this or that line that lead on to failure or success, as 

 the case may be. The two extremes are seldom far apart. The 

 conditions that may prove satisfactory in one sense, do not always 

 avail in others. The mere growth of the Vine itself is one thing, 

 whilst the production of fruit, early or late, and its proper maturation 

 and conservation, are totally distinct matters. A house which may 

 be very suitable for early Grapes, may be unsuitable for late crops, and 

 vice versa. It is very wonderful to notice the great crops of Grapes, 

 and these of fine quality too, that are sometimes produced in houses or 

 Vineries that can scarcely be called suitable, and which should never 

 be taken as models to be followed in the erection of Vine-houses. A 

 great many blunders are committed in this way : peradventure, 

 through pure accident it may be, a certain thing is a success ; it is 

 thereupon copied, with all its faults, and failure is the common and 

 natural result. 



Vineries, that is to say, the structures set apart for Vine culture, are 

 of three classes : 



1. Early Vineries, for the production of early or forced Grapes. 



2. General-crop Vineries, including all unheated houses. 



3. Late Vineries, for the production and proper keeping of Grapes 

 till late in the season. 



A Vinery specially designed for one of these purposes may be very 

 unsuitable for the others ; special arrangements are required in each 

 case, but we can here do little more than glance at general principles, 

 lea ving the details to be fitted to each particular case. 



The annexed illustration, fig. 8, in which the construction of the 

 border is illustrated, represents what is termed a lean-to Vinery that 

 is, a house leaning to or against a wall. This is the oldest, simplest, 

 and cheapest style oi house that can be erected, advantage being 

 generally taken of some already existing wall against which to place it. 



UNIVERSITY 



Of ______ v.\ 



