CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 285 



exposed to the air, as -possible. Indeed, it is an excellent 

 plan to pack the fruit in glazed earthen jars, with sufficient 

 wheat-bran, or perfectly dry sand or grain, between each 

 bunch to keep them separate ; and, when the pot is full, to 

 seal it hermetically. Grapes are sent from the Crimea to 

 St. Petersburg, packed in sealed pots, with kiln-dried 

 grain between the bunches; and they are said to keep 

 perfectly throughout the year. Another most successful 

 method has been adopted by M. Rose Charmeux of 

 Thomery, in France, by which he has been enabled to 

 exhibit fresh grapes in spring and early summer. He 

 cuts a portion of a branch having two or more bunches 

 of fruit attached. The lower end of the branch he places 

 in a small bottle of water, to which is added a little char- 

 coal for the purpose of keeping the water sweet. The 

 bottles arranged in the rack, as 

 seen in fig. 41, will convey an 

 idea of the plan better than any 

 description. Though M. Char- 

 meux does not direct it, it would 

 be an undoubted advantage to 

 seal the upper cut of the branch 

 with a shellac solution, or with 

 wax, and also to close the mouth 



