FEB.] CRAPES. 341 



there will be a great falling off in tlie expected crop. 

 After tlie whole of the shoots and buds are in an 

 evident state of vegetation, the temperature may 

 be gradually raised to 60% 0.5", and 7^°, at wliich 

 it may continue till the bloom begin to open. This 

 rise from 50° to 70°, must not be sudden ; it should 

 not be effected in less time than a fortnight, or, if 

 the plants be not in a very strong state, three weeks, 

 otherwise the shoots will push weakly. 



Air should be admitted freely every day, by open- 

 ing the gashes in the ordinary way, until the foliage 

 begin to expand ; and to an extent that the thermo- 

 meter may not rise to more than five degrees above 

 the fii'e-heat medium, in sunshine ; thus bringing a- 

 way the buds strong and vigorous. But after tlie 

 foliage begins to expand, except in fine weather, the 

 house should be chiefly aired by means of the ven- 

 tilators, until the blossom is over, and the fruit be- 

 gin to set; or at least until the season become mild. 



The border must be duly and freely refreshed 

 W'ith water ; generally once in two or tlu'ee days ; 

 and if occassionally watered with the drainings of 

 the dunghill, it would add much to the vigour of the 

 plants. The branches should be v/atered once in 

 two days by the engine, with a considerable degree 

 of force, in order to keep the plants clean, and pre- 

 vent the breeding of the red-spider and thrips, 

 which are often very troublesome in the grape- 

 house. 



Vines whose shoots have not been well ripened 

 last season, and particularly if they have been pruned 

 liite, often bleed after vegetation commences, which 



