THE GRAPE VINE. 85 



intervals to keep the inside border moist. In the 

 middle of summer, and before the roof gets so covered 

 with foliage as to protect it from the sun, examine 

 the soil at least every week, and water it when neces- 

 sary. Should the season be very dry, the outside 

 portion of the border will be the better for a slight 

 mulching of half -decayed litter, which will prevent 

 the necessity for watering so much. The inside border, 

 after the roots have penetrated into it, will also be the 

 better of a similar mulching, but only to a slight ex- 

 tent. Avoid applying water that has not stood in the 

 vinery cisterns for some time to get warmed a little. 



I am not favourable to syringing much, but it does 

 more good and less harm to young fruitless vines than 

 under other circumstances, and it is a preventive of 

 red-spider. As the season advances, and the sun gets 

 powerful, leave air on to a small extent all night after 

 syringing the foliage, and it should be increased as 

 early as 6 A.M., in order to get the foliage dry before 

 the sun acts powerfully on the glass, otherwise the 

 foliage may suffer under the clear glass now used. 



The night temperature during the summer months 

 may range from 70 to 75, when the necessity for 

 lire-heat is at its minimum. With the increase of 

 light, air, and heat, atmospheric moisture should be 

 increased, and vice versd ; but by all means avoid at 

 any time a close, stagnant, damp atmosphere. As 

 soon as the wood begins to ripen, admit more air, 

 causing a circulation among the foliage by opening 

 the front lights more freely, and gradually decrease 

 the amount of moisture. Examine the foliage, and if 

 there be any red-spider on it, give a few vigorous syr- 

 ingings, and take every means of keeping the foliage 

 in a healthy state, till the vines have matured it, and 



