CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 57 



illustrates a succession of such houses, the propagating- 

 house being the smallest, the other two or more being 



Fig. 10. 



well adapted for growing young vines in the borders 

 during the summer. These houses may also be used to 

 advantage in winter for flowering plants, early straw- 

 berries, vegetables, or any forcing purpose, by intro- 

 ducing heating apparatus, hot-water pipes, slate tanks, 

 or, least desirable of either, a simple flue under the walk. 

 Iron pipes, being but four inches in diameter, might be 

 supported near the posts, under the gutters, as indicated 

 in fig. 10, in the house on the right-hand side. It should 

 be here stated, that, when rapid forcing is desired, I have 

 found that lean-to houses, facing southerly, and taking 

 the full force of the winter sun, are better for this pur- 

 pose. Yet, even in winter, the north and south ridge 

 and furrow houses are best for steady, moderate growth. 

 The morning and evening sun strikes the glass more 

 directly, while the mid-day sun is by no means so fierce. 

 From this digression, we return to the cuttings. 



