94 



ripe : this is, however, a serious matter, and can only 

 be justified in very special cases. All such shading 

 is at the expense of the ripening of the wood and the 

 energies of the tree in the ensuing year. With re- 

 gard to ripe grapes in November and December, fire 

 heat must be had recourse to, in order to carry away 

 all accumulating damps, and to prevent the tempera- 

 ture from descending too low. Too great a depres- 

 sion of heat will induce a state of rest ; too much 

 heat will hurry them through this stage. We have 

 found, by experience, that an average of 45 to oo 

 degs. will suit better than either a higher or a lower 

 temperature ; unless, indeed, as sometimes happens, 

 that the leaves have ripened and are shed ; then, in- 

 deed, 35 degs. will suffice, providing damp can be ex- 

 pelled by such a temperature. Fires should be kept 

 going early in the morning, accompanied with a 

 free circulation of air, more especially if somewhat 

 dry, and free from fogs. The house may be closed 

 towards two or three o'clock p.m., with the exception 

 of a very little back air to permit the egress of steam 

 during the night. The West's St. Peter's and Ham- 

 bro's are by far the best for any late purposes ; and 

 the fruit should be thinned, as before observed, so 

 that no two berries touch. They should be examined 

 with the scissars at least once a week, and berries re- 

 moved the moment that the slightest decay is visible. 

 10. Ripening the Wood. — This is, of necessitv, 



