THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 109 



days, the same as from the tenth instant ; and this was con- 

 tinued to February. 



The vines, near the furnace, Avere all pushing, both sets at 

 the same time, those planted on the outside of the house, and 

 those on the inside. The mercury, in the open air, last night, 

 was at zero ; in the house, at 9, P. M., it was 55° ; at 7, 

 A. M., 48°, with as large fires as the furnace would allow. 



January 25th. — Nine of the vines, which were nearest to 

 the furnace, were tied to the rods. 



January 27th. — Put up sixteen more. 



February 1st. — The temperature, at night, was kept at 55° 

 to 65° ; by day, and when cloudy, 70° to 75° ; by sunshine, 

 75° to 85°, giving air as above ; and this temperature was 

 continued until the blossom was over ; the remaining \anes, 

 on the front of the house, were taken up and secured to the 

 rods. 



February 2d. — The vines, on the back of the house, were 

 tied to the trellis ; some of the shoots, on the vines near the 

 furnace, were two feet, and some three feet long ; they were 

 cut back to one eye beyond the fruit. 



February 10th. — Rubbed out all but one shoot on each 

 spur, where it had not been done before ;* the spurs which 

 were cut close have generally pushed, from dormant eyes at 

 their base, from two to six shoots, and most of the shoots had 

 fruit bunches. f 



February 15th. — First blossoms opened to-day on three of 

 the vines ; shortened back, and tied out to the rods, the side 

 shoots on several vines. 



February 21st. — Blossoms have opened on the eight vines 

 nearest the furnace, and, on the two first, the berries are 

 swelling off; continued to stop, and to tie up, and to thin out, 

 any of the shoots that are not wanted. 



March 1st. — The temperature, at night, was kept at 60° 



* This can be done as soon as the shoots are one inch long, shortly after the canes 

 are put up. 



t The tendrils should be cut smoothly out when they first appear. 



