58 BRIGHT ON GRAPE CULTURE. 



ders was at 60°. Immature roots, which could not be 

 expected to keep, were produced. Such vines must, 

 of course, ^ break' weakly in the spring; their great 

 feeders are mainly destroyed, and they must create 

 them again in the spring before they can make strong 

 growth. 



^<- In April the solar heat is often 75°, while the tem- 

 perature of the earth is little higher than the freezing 

 point. In such cases, the canes are, of course, unduly 

 excited into action, while the roots are comparatively 

 dormant, and the natural balance of the vine or the nice 

 unity of action between the root and the wood, which it 

 is so important to preserve, is destroyed. 



^' To attain the most perfect success in vine culture, 

 it would be desirable to keep the border heat, in spring, 

 about ten degrees above the solar heat, and to reduce 

 the temperature of the border in autumn in the same 

 proportion. As soon as the grape crop is matured, we 

 should hasten, by all proper means, the ripening of 

 roots and wood, — the border should be dried and cooled, 

 and the roots thrown into a state of repose. As soon as 

 the roots cease their functional action, the upper wood 

 will be in a state of rest. So, in the spring, a quick 

 heat in the border will start the roots at the same time 

 with the canes, and a healthy growth of roots and wood 

 must be the result of such harmonious action.'' 



