300 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



boiler may allow a saving in the extent of piping, and be 

 unobjectionable. 



THE KETARDING-HOTJSE. 



This should be so situated, that the vines may be kept 

 dormant as late as possible in the spring, and come for- 

 ward very moderately throughout the season. Probably 

 a " lean-to " roof, sloping west, is as good a position as can 

 be obtained. A north aspect would not secure sufficient 

 sunlight. A simple flue is sufficient to keep out the frost; 

 and -this is all that is desirable after the fruit has ripened, 

 in November. In such a house, grapes may be kept with 

 a good degree of freshness until February ; yet it involves 

 much care, labor, and cost : and it is to be hoped that the 

 methods of preserving grapes in the fruit-room will, to 

 some extent, remove the necessity of the retarding-house. 



BORDEES. 



The cost of the houses, and the permanence of the 

 vines, make it desirable that the borders should be as per- 

 fect and as enduring as possible. Tile, or covered drains, 



