THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 113 



RETARDING HOUSE. 



The retarding house should be built upon the same plan as 

 the forcing-house ; it is not necessary that it should be so 

 wide, or so high on the back. 



The pruning and training of the vine are the same as in the 

 cold house ; the thinning of the berries will be performed 

 later than in any other house, and care should be had that it 

 is thoroughly done, and more severely than in any other way 

 of growing them. 



Early in March, the sun must be excluded from the house ; 

 this can be done by spreading sails, or mats, over the glass ; 

 the doors and lights must be open day and night, when the 

 temperature is above freezing. 



In May, when the vines push their buds, the covering must 

 be removed from the glass ; keep the temperature as low as 

 possible, night and day, during the summer ; the end of May, 

 or early in June, the vines should be put to the rods, or trellis. 



Early in July, the grapes Avill be in blossom ; apply the 

 sulphur now to the floor of the house, and observe the vines 

 carefully during this and the next month ; if the mildew ap- 

 pear on the wood, fruit, or fohage, shut the house at night, 

 and apply more sulphur. Never allow it to remain on the 

 fruit ; if, by accident, any should get on, brush it off immedi- 

 ately, — opening the house by day, as in any grapery. Early 

 in August, the grapes will require to be thinned. 



In October, when the nights become cool, close the doors 

 and windows, (where it has not been done before on account of 

 mildetv,') giving as much air, and keeping as low a tempera- 

 ture, (when the sun shines,') by day, as possible. 



In November, small fires must be made and kept up in the 

 night-time, and in cloudy weather. 



In the retarding house, where you cannot prune the vines 

 early, it is best to disbud them ; to do this, a sharp knife is 

 necessary, cutting out every eye but the lower one on the 

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