18 A TREATISE ON THE 



in no wise differ from that before recommended for the 



Hamburgh and others. It is the practice of many to keep 



a very high temperature for this most delicious grape, but 



such, in my opinion, is erroneous. A uniform and progressive 



s heat, as the vine advances in growth, is certainly requisite, 



and during the period they are in bloom a somewhat closer 



atmosphere than was before required is essential. There is a 



peculiar delicacy, if I may so term it, in the formation of the 



seed-vessels of this grape, which renders it difficult to set, 



unless the temperature is well regulated, by keeping it pure, 



rather moist, and well ventilated ; but by no means steam the 



house at any stage of their growth, more particularly now, as 



it only tends to increase that precarious weakness which they 



naturally undergo. Previously to, and during, the time they 



are in bloom, be careful to remove every superfluous lateral 



shoot, so as to admit as much light and air as possible. I do 



not mean to deprive them of more than is proper ; but at this 



period the growth is generally most rapid and vigorous, and 



two days' inattention would very much encumber and darken 



the house. I by no means recommend the bunches to be 



exposed to the strong glare of the sun's rays, as they would 



receive great injury thereby ; but it is highly beneficial that 



the permanent leaves, which protect the bunches, should be 



allowed full exposure. Another objection exists in allowing 



the lateral shoots to grow beyond their allotted space : much 



moisture is thereby detained, which not only acts prejudicially 



to the bunches, but also causes the leaves to be scorched, and 



hence arise red spider and disfiguration. As soon as the 



berries are set, lose no time in thinning. With this, as with 



other grapes, the sooner that operation is performed the better, 



which will cause the berries to be much finer. Throughout 



the whole period of their growth they must be supplied 



plentifully with tepid water at the roots, occasionally giving a 



thin decoction of sheep-manure water. Provided the border 



was made according to the directions before stated, water may 



