80 THE AMERICAN VINE-DRESSER'S GUIDE. 



the frost into dew before the sun has had 

 time to steam the buds. This latter process 

 gives less trouble, and is at the same time 

 very efficacious. What I have just said of 

 frost, concerning the vine r may be applied to 

 every species of fruit-tree. 



Every one is aware that it is not the frost 

 that does so much evil to the vine, but rather 

 the sun that comes and, by changing the frost 

 too suddenly into water, steams and blights 

 the buds. And this is so certain, that if, 

 after a severe frost daring the night, a fog 

 supervenes before sunrise, the vine does not 

 suffer in the least ; the effect is the same as 

 on a man, who, if he has his hands frozen, 

 cures them by rubbing them with snow, but 

 runs risk of losing them, if he immediately 

 holds them to a hot tire. It is, therefore, be- 

 yond doubt that if you can change the frost 

 into water before the sun strikes your vines, 

 or if you find means to intercept his rays, you 



