188 THE GRAPE. 



hand before they become numerous. Loosen the soil 

 with the hoe or plough, to destroy weeds, and allow the 

 rains to penetrate. The cuttings which were put down 

 in March will also be benefited by the same process, and 

 if drouth should occur, a good soaking of water will 

 make their success more certain, and prevent many from 

 dying out. Now is a good time to propagate by layers. 

 For this purpose, bury a branch of last year's growth 

 some four inches deep, leaving the young lateral shoota 

 of the present season in a perpendicular position, having 

 the tops above ground. Press down some hooked pegs, 

 to keep the branch in its place, and cover with earth. 

 \t the end of summer, these upright branches will have 

 an abundance of roots, and may be divided into as many 

 individual plants. 



COLD GRAPERY. 



The vines in this house will, like those in the open air, 

 be in active growth, and all means should be used to 

 encourage their development. Syringe over the whole 

 every evening, if the weather is clear and dry, but not 

 otherwise, immediately before sundown, closing the house 

 at the same time, and do not open when cloudy ; be 

 careful, however, to ventilate when the sun's rays burst 

 suddenly out. The great object is to maintain an even 

 temperature, or rather a gradual but slow rise until mid- 

 day, a steady heat till evening, and a corresponding fall 

 from that time until midnight. The ihermonieter may 

 be allowed to ascend to 85° or 90°. The advice as to 

 training, fertilizing, &c., given in former pages, for the 

 forcing house, will now apply to this, and need not bo 

 repeated. 



FORCING HOUSE. 



The earliest crop will now be mostly used up, and the 



