81 THE GRAPE. 



part of November, by tying down the heads of the vines as 

 before advised, and as it is presumed that the inside borders 

 have become very dry, give a thorough soaking of water 

 over the whole interior, wash well into all chinks and cre- 

 vices of the wood-work to dislodge insects, their eggs, or 

 larvae; maintain for eight or ten days a night temperature 

 of 45, allowing it to rise to 60 or 65 with clear sunlight ; 

 at the end of this time increase the heat for the next two 

 weeks to 50 by night, and 65 to 70 by day, with a free 

 use of the syringe over the vines, and keep a quantity of 

 evaporating pans on the flues or pipes constantly filled with 

 water. All artificial heat, excepting the open tank, has a 

 tendency to dry the air inside forcing houses more rapidly 

 than that from the sun, and as in the earlier stages of de- 

 velopment, a damp atmosphere is particularly requisite, 

 this point cannot be too carefully attended to. According 

 as the heat is increased, let the moisture correspond 

 fancy a warm April morning, and imitate that as near as 

 possible. The buds will be swelling by this time, and 

 most likely the weather severe, when care must be used in 

 ventilating. Our own practice in all plant culture is, not 

 to admit any bottom air from the front lights through the 

 winter months, being convinced from repeated experiments 

 in different ways, and with many plants, that is one of the 

 most injurious methods that can be resorted to. The 

 temperature may be sufficiently lowered, and a current of 

 wholesome air maintained, by letting the heat pass off at 

 the top ventilators, which it is sure to do from its own re- 

 duced specific gravity, and accordingly as it escapes there 

 is a certainty of a fresh supply being drawn in through the 

 laps of the glass, and other apertures, which .occur even 

 in the tightest constructed houses; depend upon it the 

 lower or front part of any winter worked house, will at all 

 times be cool enough, without purposely introducing a 



