Grapes. 



399 





grape house, is represented in the preceding figure (Fig. 443). The 



walls are made by setting posts A 



into the ground, and covering 



with a rough, whitewashed 



board siding. The cover of 



glass is greatly simplified and 



cheapened by fixed sashes, 



the necessary ventilation being 



effected by the board shutters, 



a, a, opening outwards on hinges, 



and placed at intervals along the 



back and front walls. 



Fig. 444 represents a portion 

 of the glass roof b, b, are the 

 rafters ; c, c, are cross-bars, P ~ 

 made of strips of inch board 

 about two and a half inches 

 wide, set on edge, and narrowed 

 at the rafter and let into it suffi- 

 ciently to be on a level with its 

 top. These cross-pieces support long slender bars parallel with the 

 rafters, and formed on the top in the shape of a common sash-bar, 

 to receive the glass. 



RAISING GRAPES FROM SEED, NEW VARIETIES. Procure well- 

 ripened grapes, wash the seed from the pulp, and mix them at 

 once with moist sand or leaf-mould. Bury them in open ground 

 till early spring. They should not be allowed at any time to be- 

 come dry, and care should likewise be taken to prevent their be- 

 coming water-soaked. They should, in fact, be treated as cherry 

 stones and pear seeds are managed by nurserymen. Be careful to 

 secure them from mice. Plant in spring, in beds of deep rich soil, 

 in drills a foot or two apart, and an inch or two apart in the drills, 

 and about an inch deep. Shade the young plants for a few weeks. 

 Provide small stakes for their support, and mulch the surface with 

 an inch or so of good fine manure. If dry weather occurs, give 

 the ground a thorough soaking as often as once a week. Lay down 

 and cover in winter. The great point is a deep and rich soil, so as 

 to give the young plants a vigorous start. 



Fig. 444. 



