168 THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



other growths and allow ample room in the ligatures for their swelling. The shoots 

 should be thinly disposed so as to admit light and air. A thicket of leaves prevents 

 the sun heating the wall. The walls are best wired in the ordinary way. Forked 

 sticks secured to the trellis may be used to keep the bunches clear of the wall. 

 Protection from late spring frosts is desirable, but heavy material excludes so much 

 light as to be harmful. Glass projecting copings, with light open material suspended 

 in front during the prevalence of frost, afford ample protection, and are useful in 

 throwing off rain when the fruit is ripening. Hexagon netting may be employed 

 when the fruit is ripe to protect it from wasps and bluebottle-flies, or the bunches 

 can be placed in muslin bags. Prune the vines when the leaves fall. The black 

 grapes mentioned for vineyards (page 263) are good for walls; Chasselas Yibert is the 

 best white grape for the purpose, Eoyal Muscadine also succeeding on open walls. 



CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



Ground Vineries. To the late Dr. Samuel Newington, of Ticehurst, the horticultural 

 world is indebted for this simple method of growing grapes. His method, however, 

 differed from that which is now practised. It consisted of a ridge of glass placed over a 

 trench lined with slates ; over this trench the stem of the vine was suspended by cross- 

 pieces of wood or iron, and the bunches of grapes were to hang in the trench. Owing 

 to the danger of the water collecting in the trench, Mr. Thomas Eivers dispensed with 

 it, and placed two rows of bricks endwise, leaving half a brick space between for ventila- 

 tion, on a level piece of well- drained ground, and then paved the covered space with 

 large slates placed crosswise. The vine lies along the centre, and is pegged down 

 through the spaces between the slates. On these the bunches of grapes lie, and, owing 

 to the heat of the surface on which they rest, they ripen early and well. An improved 

 ground vinery is shown in Fig. 82, the south side of which opens, swinging on two 

 bolts, one end screwed into the end bar, and the other let into the frame. A small 

 handle is fixed on the bottom bar. Thus there is a perfect command over the vine 

 inside. The vinery is 7i feet long, and, for a single vine in the centre, 36 inches wide 

 at the base, and 20 inches deep in the centre ; for two rods, 4 feet wide, and 2 feet deep 

 in the centre. The ends are of wood, with an air-hole, provided with a door, to be 

 closed when required. The ends should be movable, so that two lengths or more can be 

 joined, and the vine or vines extended. These structures should be glazed with 21 

 ounces, thirds, sheet glass. One brick in height answers for the small-sized frame, but 



