CULTURE OF THE VINE. 13 



these troublesome insects should make their appearance, they 

 may be greatly subdued by washing the interior walls of the 

 vinery with a mixture of hot lime, and a sufficient quantity of 

 sulphur to give a slight tinge of yellow to the mixture. In 

 using the wash, be careful to avoid touching the hot pipes or 

 flues with it, as the vapour arising therefrom is most injurious. 

 The degree of heat should be continued, as before directed, 

 until after the grapes have perfected their seeds, during which 

 period the berries will remain almost stationary in size ; but 

 as soon as nature has performed this important office the 

 growth will be most rapid. A slight increase of heat may 

 now be given without fear of injury, provided the grapes are 

 required at any given time. From the time they begin to 

 change colour until they are thoroughly ripe, admit air freely, 

 but, if the weather is cold, let it be given with due care and 

 consideration. During the time of colouring a small portion 

 of air should be admitted from the top of the house throughout 

 the night still maintaining an internal temperature of not 

 less than sixty degrees. After the grapes are well ripened, a 

 greater portion of air must be given both by day and night ; 

 but the greatest care ought to be taken to keep the house as 

 dry as possible, which will ensure a longer continuance of the 

 crop in a state of perfection, as well as strengthen and in- 

 vigorate the wood, and also will add greatly to the perfecting 

 of the buds which are to be the main source of the crop for 

 the following season. Every alternate lateral shoot should 

 be cut off to within an inch of the principal bud, which can 

 now be done with safety, and without fear of exciting the 

 permanent buds. The remaining lateral shoots will be suffi- 

 cient, at this stage of growth, to carry out the circulation of 

 the sap, and, as the wood becomes more ripened and the leaves 

 naturally decay, the remaining lateral shoots must be pruned ; 

 thus giving every assistance to the crop, as well as the bearing 

 portion of wood for next year. It is the practice of some to 

 pick off the leaves contiguous to the buds surrounding the 



