Sept.] THE VINEYARD. 4g9 



a step towards the ascertaining of the relative degrees of heat and 

 cold, &c. in the various climates of the United States, which in 

 practical horticulture and agriculture, is of considerable moment, 

 and the want of such information to me, in the writing of this trea- 

 tise, is a loss which I greatly deplore. Without well authenticated 

 information in this respect, there is no knowing what allowance to 

 make for the difference of season in one climate from that of an- 

 other, and consequently the gardener or farmer, in a distant state 

 of the Union, will not know how to avail himself of the practical 

 experiments made in another, without running a hazard that may 

 prove unsuccessful, and ultimately deter him from the further pur- 

 suit of an object, perhaps, of the first importance, merely for want 

 of a due knowledge of the proper allowance to be made for the dif- 

 ference of season. Therefore it would be of serious advantage, 

 were such observations to be made in every state of the Union, and 

 confined principally to such perennial and permanent vegetable 

 productions, as are common to all, or to the greater number. I 

 would propose some of these, but as there are so many Agricultural 

 Societies established, I am apprehensive that it might be deemed 

 presumptive in an individual. However I shall make observations 

 on various plants in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, as to the 

 progress of vegetation, and with pleasure communicate the result 

 to those whom a desire for public utility, or a reciprocity of advan- 

 tages, may stimulate to similar exertions. 



The annexed table is the result of many years experience at the 

 observatory in Paris, and at other places, by the most correct me- 

 teorologists. 



Protecting the Fruit. 



Your early varieties of grapes will now be ripening very fast, and 

 will sometimes be subject to the annoyance of birds, which are 

 more apt to attack the fruit a little before sun rising and about the 

 time of its setting, than in any other part of the day; it will be, 

 therefore, prudent to have boys with rattles to frighten them away, 

 particularly about those hours. 



You should also destroy poke, wild cherries, and any other un- 

 cultivated productions growing near the vineyard, the fruit of 

 which might invite a resort of birds. Should you observe an ex- 

 traordinary resort of wasps in any quarter, and that they are 

 destructive to the fruit, hang up phials of honeyed or sugared water 

 in such places, in which numbers of them will be caught and 

 destroyed. 



The ground between your vines must now be kept perfectly 

 free from weeds, and all the branches tied up neatly, in order to 

 afford the fruit the full advantage of air and sun for its due perfec- 

 tion. 



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