50 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



border, to the depth of ten or twelve inches, vdth horse dung 

 of the best quahtj. Before this dung is laid on the border, 

 it should be thrown up in a heap for two or three days, until 

 it begins to heat properly. It should then be laid on the 

 border without delay, as its powers will be greatly weakened 

 by the process of fermentation. The temperature of the 

 surface of the border will be raised, by means of this dung, 

 to about 60^ Fall., a point of great importance. It is evi- 

 dently contrary to nature to be forcing the vines when the 

 roots are exposed to cold, or, at least, deri-ving no warmth to 

 stimulate the juices of the plants. I keep the temperature 

 in the hothouse at about 60° in the morning, at first ; and 

 about 55° during the day, if dull weather. If the nights are 

 very cold or frosty at the commencement of forcing, if the 

 thermometer is 48° in the morning, I am satisfied. This 

 heat is continued until the buds are all broken ; after which, 

 the thermometer may be allowed to range between 50° and 

 55° in the morning, and about 60° during the day, if dull 

 weather. In clear weather, from the commencement of forc- 

 ing, I open the upper door of the furnace, merely keeping the 

 fire in during the day, and allow the temperature to rise in 

 the hothouse to 70°, 75°, or even 80°. Were there a con- 

 tinuance of clear weather at this stage of forcing, 80° would 

 be too high ; but, for a day or two, it does not matter, al- 

 though the thermometer should rise to 80° in the middle of 

 the day. This temperature should be continued during the 

 day, should the weather l^e clear, until the first leaves of the 

 vine are fully expanded, when the temperature may be kept 

 between 85° and 90° in the daytime in clear weather. 

 When the vines are in flower, I keep the temperature be- 

 tween 55° and 60° in the morning, and between 65° and 70° 

 during the day, if dull weather, and about 85° if sunshine. 

 After the grapes are set, the thermometer may be allowed to 

 rise to 90° or 95° during the day in clear weather. In dull 

 or wet weather, in summer, instead of kindhng fires at night 

 in the ordinary way, I cause the flues to be heated in the 



