67 



ing forcing at a low temperature, adding— The first 

 week keep up the heat to 50 degs., the second to 60, 

 the third to 65, and the fourth to 70 degs. Night 

 temperature about 10 degs. lower. A good rule is 

 60 degs. for vines in leaf, and 70 when blooming and 

 ripening fruit ; the night temperature may then be 

 20 degs. lower. 



Syringing. — Some excellent gardeners practice this 

 less or more through most of the forcing period : 

 some equally good gardeners entirely dispense with 

 it. If sufficient atmospheric moisture is provided by 

 means of a permanent character, little syringing will 

 be needed. It may be practised with benefit during 

 the time the buds are swelling, two or three times a 

 day. When blossoming commences it must be alto- 

 gether omitted. It may be resumed again until the 

 berries are as large as peas, when it will be better, in 

 our opinion, entirely dispensed with ; taking care to 

 provide plenty of atmospheric moisture in lieu of it. 



The desirable amount of moisture in the air of the 

 vinery is by no means arbitrary, but ought to be 

 regulated according to the rule pointed out by nature. 

 Her law is that the moisture of atmospheric air, un- 

 affected by accidental causes, is proportional to its 

 temperature, the moisture increasing with the heat. 

 The exceptions offered by the sirocco and other hot 

 dry winds, have their accidental origin from passing 

 over arid torrid plains incapable of affording moisture 



