THE EARLY GRAPERY OR FORCING HOUSE. 81 



for we all know the benefit of keeping all parts of other 

 plants in an equal temperature, or if there is any difference 

 to be made, a gentle bottom heat under and among the 

 roots, and also about the lower parts of the stems, con- 

 duces to healthfulness and success. Why then should the 

 grape vine be made an exception, for it is subject to and 

 is governed by the same laws as other parts of the vege- 

 table kingdom, and the reason why it does not so soon 

 resist the bad treatment which is so often practised upon 

 it, is on account of its greater docility of constitution. For 

 late crops the planting outside is not of so much conse- 

 quence, as the natural temperature only differs compara- 

 tively little from the inside, but for early forcing, it is 

 absolutely requisite that the stems should be in the house, 

 and if possible, the roots ought to be kept in the same 

 temperature as the tops. To accomplish this desideratum, 

 some of the best cultivators in Britain cover over the bor- 

 ders during winter and spring, with a sufficient depth of fer- 

 menting manure, and replenish it as the heat decreases ; this 

 may do well enough where the winters are not severe, but 

 in such a climate as the Middle and Northern States of 

 America, the same practice cannot be satisfactorily adopted, 

 for, owing to the severity of the weather, there would be 

 no end to labour, and the quantity of material required ; 

 so that we ought to have recourse to other and more con- 

 venient means to accomplish the same end, if we wish to 

 acquire the best results, a"nd endanger as little as possible 

 the welfare of the plants. We may get along pretty well 

 by covering over with a good depth of tree leaves, or 

 other like material, that will arrest the escape of the heat 

 contained in the soil, and prevent the penetration of cold, 

 and this will answer well enough when gentle forcing only 

 is practised, but it is nothing more than a make-shift job 

 for earlier crops, and answers a very poor purpose. A 

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