A LEAN-TO COLD VINERT. SCALE ONE INCH TO TEN FEET. 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



from another of the very many writers on the grape ; and as I have had very good 

 success thus far, I shall feel it a great pleasure if I may but make this statement so 

 simple as to induce others to try the same for themselves. 



My vinery has a free open exposure to the south, being what is called a " lean-to" 

 house, built against the south side of my barn.* It is thirty feet long, twelve feet 

 high on the back wall and one foot in front, an eight-inch timber resting on three 



brick piers in front 

 for the rafters to rest 

 upon, and fourteen feet 

 wide. The ends are of 

 l:j-inch stuff matched, 

 put together tight and 

 double, and filled in 

 with tan bark, to keep 

 the house as warm as 

 possible. The door 

 may be in either end, 

 there being no fire used. The sashes are in two lengths, the upper ones to slide easily 

 over the bottom ones, so that the house may be easily aired at any time, and made 

 according to Downing. (^Fruits and Fruit Trees of Amei'ica, p. 226.) 



I have a hogshead sunk in one corner of the house, to catch the water from my 

 barn, with a small force pump and hose attached, with Avliich I can sprinkle the house 

 thoroughly in a very short time ; for it is of tlie utmost importance to keep the house 

 moist during the growing season. 



The border extends over the whole of the inside of the house, and runs twelve feet 

 outside in front; being thirty feet by twenty-six, and two feet eight inches deep. The 

 dirt is first removed to the depth of two feet eight inches ; then filled up eight inches 

 with broken bricks, stones, and lime rubbish, so as to form a thorough drain, (for the 

 roots of the vine delight in a warm, rich, open soil, not too moist ; ) the soil is then 

 filled in two feet eight inches, to allow for settling. 



In the border I am very particular. I have in my border fifty bushels of whole 

 bones, in which there are fifty beeve and sheep sculls ; fifty bushels of pulverized char- 

 coal ; twenty-five bushels oyster shells ; a quantity of leather scrapings ; twenty-five 

 bushels of coal and leached ashes ; twelve bushels of blacksmith cinders and iron 

 filings ; twelve loads of well decomposed manure ; and the rest is made up of street 

 scrapings, garden soil, yellow loam, and sod from an old pasture ; no dead carcasses 

 being used. The whole is well mixed together, and filled in on the last of March ; 

 and the vines are then planted on the inside of the house, eight inches from the wall, 

 one under each rafter, which will make the vines about three feet apart. The object 

 is to make the border as loose, open, and rich as possible. Avoid all walking on the 

 border after the vines are planted. 



I have ten vines in front and eight on the back wall, of the following varieties, pro-* 

 cured of Parsons & Co., Flushing, L. I. : four White Muscat of Alexandria, one 

 Royal Muscadine, one Palestine, one Gray Tokay, one Black Prince, one Black St. 

 Peters, one Zinjindal, one Bed Frontignan, one Wilmoth New Black Hamburgh, six 

 Black Hamburgh. 



I plant the vines about the first of April, taking care to spread out the roots, that 

 they may have a free start and not get entangled ; rub ofi' all the buds except the 

 strongest one at the bottom. Water the vines freely, if the weather is warm, and 

 keep up a humid atmosphere all the time. Never allow the vines to receive a check 



* We add a sketch of " a lean-to vinery" of the proportions and style described by Mr. Suydam, in order to make 

 the subject better understood. — Ed. 



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