CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 181 



ajid vigorous shoot near the lower end has grown some 

 eighteen inches, when the whole upper head may be cut 

 away, and the young branch trained up in its stead. 

 This mischief is the result of imperfectly ripened wood, 

 and insufficient covering during the winter, a fact oi 

 wdiich some persons have been rather expensively con- 

 vinced during the last few severe seasons, and which has 

 furnished prejudice, neglect, and bad management, a sub- 

 terfuge to condemn the practice of growing the Eui-opean 

 grapes under glass, without artificial heat. When no 

 injury has occurred, the vines may be loosely tied to 

 the wires, with the top left suspended in an arched 

 position, until all the buds are well and evenly grown 

 some two or three inches, after which the canes should 

 be fastened in their permanent form for the summer. 

 Do not let any drafts of air into the house, but lower the 

 temperature as may be desired by opening the top ven- 

 tilators. Keep the house cool during the first three 

 weeks on account of the liability to frosty nights. Let 

 the thermometer, up to the end of this time, rise no 

 higher than 65°, if possible. At the end of the month it 

 may be allow^ed to rise to 70°, or 75° and 80°, and now 

 commence using water freely with the syringe or hose- 

 pipe, evenings and mornings, distributing it over every 

 part of the vines, and into all crevices of the woodwork, 

 for the double purpose of moistening the atmosphere, 

 and dislodging any insects that have taken refuge there. 



FORCING nOUSE. 



Tlie earliest crop will now be ripening fast, and thin- 

 ning will be finished. The heat may be increased to 65° 

 or 70° at night, and 85° to 90° at mid-day. Water over- 

 head ought now to be discontinued, but damp the floor 

 of an evening. Continue to nip out the upper advancing 



