44 OPEN AIR GRAPE CULTURE. 



functions of tlie plant, that although in the height of 

 the growing season, not the slightest appearance of 

 renewed vegetation could be discerned in any part 

 of its leaves, shoots or fruit, until the third day of 

 July, or twenty-two days afterward. It never pro- 

 duced another inch of good bearing wood throughout 

 the remainder of the season, but lingered in a very 

 weak and sickly condition ; and the fruit which had 

 been previously estimated at ninety pounds' weight, 

 did not exceed fifty-five pounds when gathered, and 

 that of a very inferior description in point of flavor 

 and size of berry. Its leaves, also, having been thus 

 crippled, were shed prematurely a month before their 

 natural time, and hence the deficiency in the flavor 

 and size of the grapes. 



" The other instance, which happened shortly after- 

 ward, is still more decisive. On the 30th of August 

 following, about eight o'clock in the evening, a strong 

 wind began to blow from the southwest, accompanied 

 with heavy rain. At nine it blew violently, and con- 

 tinued to do so until noon the next day. It then 

 slackened, and then veering to the northwest, died 

 away some time during the following night. 



" The full force of this wind fell on a remarkably 

 fine black Hamburg vine, trained on a wall having a 

 southwestern aspect, and its efiects were therefore 

 proportionately destructive. Many of the principal 



