192 THE GRAPE. 



Soap-surls and chamber-lye are of great benefit, applied 

 in dry weather, when the vines are growing freely. 

 They ought, however, to be diluted with one-half water, 

 particularly the former, which may be readily done by 

 sinking a large tub in the ground in a convenient place, 

 so as to receive the liquid as it is made, mixing as used. 

 When the ground is very wet, do not add more moisture ; 

 but, generally speaking, at this season there is a want of 

 it, and when it is applied, pour down in pailfuls over the 

 surface as far as the roots extend, but not against the 

 base of the stem, as many people very ignorantly do. 

 The feeders are not here ; they penetrate to a considerable 

 distance, and water applied to the stem does more harm 

 than good, sometimes rotting the trunk. 



Never take off any leaves from the branches to "let in 

 light to the fruit," which is another evil practice. The 

 fruit is naturally shaded by the leaves, and so situated, it 

 is always of better quality, provided there is a free circu- 

 lation of air and overcrowding prevented, which may be 

 done by following the advice above. 



COLD GRAPERY. 



The same practice of stopping the laterals and ends of 

 the shoots, as described in the foregohig, will apply here. 

 Maintain the temperature at 90° to 95° mth sunshine, 

 and graduate as advised last month. Continue to syringe 

 the vines overhead, if the w^eather be dry and clear; but 

 if mildew make its appearance, cease to use any water 

 inside the house, and apply the sulphur as directed. Do 

 not admit any more external air than is necessary to re- 

 duce the heat, and be careful under the circumstances to 

 have the lower ventilators closed. This course, if adher- 

 ed to strictly, and persevered in until the fruit begins to 

 <o!or, will most assuredly immediately check, and finally 



