8 



the ripening process ; for, in all cases, grapes to hang 

 well, should be perfectly ripe by the end of Septem- 

 ber. It is a complete fallacy to imagine that retard- 

 ing their ripening after that period will conduce to 

 their long keeping. 



We have already stated that Mr. Crawshay is a 

 great advocate for thorough ventilation : his houses 

 are the very reverse of a " Ward's case." There has, 

 in our opinion, rather too much stress been laid upon 

 having a draught in hothouses. Certainly no man 

 in his senses would invite a cold or frosty wind ; and 

 here arises the question, as to whether motion is 

 really necessary in the air of hothouses ? We are of 

 opinion that it is by far more essential to the health 

 of plants in general — more especially fruits — than 

 people commonly imagine. We anticipate the time 

 when it will be deemed necessary to keep up a venti- 

 lation, or rather circulation, night and day ; indeed,' 

 this is Mr. Errington's practice at the present time. 

 The scalding in the berry, as it is termed, most com- 

 monly proceeds from the neglect of early ventilation. 

 If the atmosphere is charged abundantly with mois- 

 ture, and the sun breaks out rather suddenly in a 

 May or June morning, this will speedily occur. 

 Some of the best vine-growers we know have made a 

 point of giving air, if only in the most trifling degree, 

 by six o'clock in the morning, during the months be- 

 fore alluded to : that is to say, they allowed the con- 



