134 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



upright trellis; also securing the benefit of more radia- 

 tion of heat, and uniform and moderate humidity from 

 the soil ; and, again, securing an abundance of light and 

 air, without exposing the vine to sifting winds as a per- 

 pendicular trellis does. Thus far, the plan seems to have 

 manifest and very decided advantages, and to answer all 

 the requisites. There yet remains one important consid- 

 eration. Will such a broad exposure of the vine to the 

 sun, the rain, and the dews, be beneficial, or otherwise ? 

 Upon this point we have the very definitely expressed 

 opinion of Prof. Lindley, given in his " Theory of Horti- 

 culture," p. 269 ; which opinion is certainly entitled to very 

 great consideration. We quote as follows : "That train- 

 ing a tree over the face of a wall will protect the blossoms 

 from cold must be apparent when we consider the severe 

 effect of excessive evaporation upon the tender parts. 

 A merely low temperature will produce comparatively 

 little injury in a still air, because the more essential parts 

 of the flower are very much guarded by the bracts, 

 calyx, and petals which overlie them; and, moreover, 

 because radiation will be intercepted by the branches 

 themselves, placed one above the other ; so that none but 

 the uppermost branches which radiate into space will 

 feel its full effects : but, when a cold wind is constantly 



