88 FRUIT GARDEN. 



By far the most of the foreign grapes raised in the 

 United States, under glass, are brought forward without 

 fire-heat ; the sun's rays, when properly taken advantage 

 of, being sufficient to produce maturity in almost every 

 variety. The routine of the grape-house culture without 

 fire-heat is as follows : The vines which had been trimmed, 

 and perhaps laid down in the beginning of winter, should 

 be raised up and washed with strong soapsuds, to which 

 some tobacco decoction may be added. They should have 

 all the rough bark removed, and cleaned thoroughly, after 

 which they may be tied up in their proper places. After 

 they put out, they should be syringed with water about an 

 hour after sunrise every morning, should the sashes be on 

 the house. After the fruit has set, the vines may be 

 syringed every afternoon, the house being previously shut 

 up, not to be re-opened till the sun has warmed up the air 

 next day, usually about nine or ten o'clock, at which time 

 the top sashes may be let down to admit air, and the ther- 

 mometer not allowed to rise above ninety or one hundred 

 degrees. "When the fruit attains the size of peas, the 

 syringing is discontinued by some, whilst by others it is 

 kept up till the grapes begin to change color. 



As the season advances, and during the sultry days of 

 July and August, mildew is to be looked for, and may be 

 readily recognized by the yellowish and sickly transpa- 

 rency of the leaves, which have a soft and greasy feel. 

 The destruction wrought through mildew is often so rapid 

 and extensive that where the least signs appear, the most 

 prompt measures should be taken to check its extension. 

 Copious syringing with water, twice a day, is recommended 

 as one of the best remedies, allowing the freest possible 

 circulation of the air from ten to three o'clock, if the sun 

 shines. When the disease has made considerable progress, 



