190 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



of grapes. Graperies are admirable for their specific pur- 

 pose ; but they are expensive, and involve a gardener, and 

 the constant labor of opening and closing. More simple 

 and less expensive forms, with permanent ventilation, are 

 found sufficient to mature Black Hamburgs of the dark- 

 est hue and highest flavor. The use of brick or stone 

 walls has been somewhat extensive in England. The 



O 



vines or other fruit-trees are trained close to the surface, 

 which is supposed to absorb and radiate the heat of the 

 sun. The theory is undoubtedly correct, and the practi- 

 cal results are satisfactory, especially since the walls serve 

 a double purpose of sheltering from winds. Some experi- 

 ments have been made in coloring the walls black, in order 

 that the sun's heat may be more perfectly absorbed, and 

 the heat be gradually imparted to the vines. In the third 

 volume of " The Horticultural Transactions," p. 330, is 

 a communication from Henry Dawes, relating his ex- 

 perience with colored walls, which is worthy of being 

 transcribed : 



" Two years ago, I covered a portion of nay wall with 

 thick black r paint. The vine was divided into two equal 

 parts : one-half was trained on the painted, and the other 

 on the plain wall. The season was so unfavorable last 

 year, that scarcely any out-door grapes came to perfection ; 



