14 A TREATISE ON THE 



iruit, with the idea of admitting more sun and light ; but I 

 am confident the practice is not only detrimental to the fruit, 

 but to the wood also, as it prevents that free circulation of sap 

 which nature has ordered for the maturing of every bud so 

 connected with the leaves ; the latter, indeed, being part and 

 parcel of the said buds, from which the fruit is to emanate 

 the forthcoming season. 



Grapes, in their growth, are subject to many enemies, in the 

 shape of insects; neither are they exempt when they arrive at 

 maturity. Wasps and flies are most destructive to them. The 

 best guard against these troublesome insects is by covering the 

 spaces where the lights are opened with perforated zinc or 

 Haythorn's netting. Continue to give plenty of air ; and the 

 same system must be pursued in other respects, as previously 

 directed, until the crop is all gathered, and the wood thoroughly 

 ripe, when the vines must then have a season of rest. The 

 border at this time must be attended to by giving it a good 

 dressing, three or four inches thick, of equal quantities of well- 

 rotted farmyard and sheep manure, taking the utmost care, 

 when forking it in the border, not to break the roots ; at the 

 same time placing the fresh manure as near, or even amongst 

 them, as is consistent with safety. Slightly cover it over 

 with the forkings of the border, and in this state allow it to 

 remain until the time arrives for forcing, when the directions 

 previously given for covering with leaves, &c., must be 

 resorted to. 



