90 



now to a period when much care should be exer- 

 cised in controlling atmospheric irregularities. It 

 is well known that sudden depressions of tempera- 

 ture are not favourable to either size, colour or flavour 

 in the berry. Now although, the vine in Syria, or any 

 other country where it flourishes, may have to endure 

 a temperature of from 86 to 90 degs. during the swel- 

 ling period, it is obvious that the same amount ought 

 not to be allowed in Britain, under a somewhat arti- 

 ficial course of treatment. Light is the great desi- 

 deratum, and if there be one axiom of greater import 

 than another, in gardening, it is this : regulate your 

 heat by the amount of light. In this stage of the 

 vine we would advise an artificial dry heat of 65 

 degs. in February, 70 degs. in March, and 75 degs. 

 in April and May, maximum. As night heat during 

 the same period, we would say, 55 degs. in February, 

 60 degs. in March, and 65 degs. in April and May, 

 minimum. Let it be understood that we here advise 

 three temperatures on the assumption that, during 

 the day, at least, a circulation or lively motion in the 

 air is maintained, especially until the latter part of the 

 afternoon. 



Atmospheric moisture must be well looked to, 

 and nicely balanced ; not sudden guests of steam, but 

 a permanent supply from an unfailing source ; and 

 here it must be confessed, that our hothouses are in 

 general lamentably deficient. And here it is that a 



