82 THE AMERICAN VINE-DRESSER'S GUIDE. 



have nothing to apprehend from spring frosts. 

 In winter, when country labor is suspended, 

 make rough straw mats, two feet square, and 

 tie them, at the beginning of March, to the 

 props over all your vine-plants, leaving them 

 to hang there until you have no longer any 

 fear of the frost. These caps (as they may be 

 called), by intercepting the sun's rays, will 

 prevent them from steaming the tender buds. 

 This plan, which might at first appear expen- 

 sive, is very slightly so, and is also adopted in 

 countries where the sun is very hot, to pre- 

 vent the grapes from being parched. Be- 

 sides, no one will deny its efficacy, nor can it 

 be too strongly recommended. 



It is certain that wherever the heat is suf- 

 ficient in summer to ripen the grape, there 

 may the vine be cultivated ; for I have just 

 pointed out sure means of shielding it from 

 the cold of spring, which alone is to be feared. 



