FEB.] GRAPES. 341 



there will be a great falling off in the expected crop. 

 After the whole of the shoots and buds are in an 

 evident state of vegetation, the temperature may 

 be gradually raised to 60, 65, and 70, at which 

 it may continue till the bloom begin to open. This 

 rise from 50 to 70, must not be sudden ; it should 

 not be effected in less time than a fortnight, or, if 

 the plants be not in a very strong state, three weeks, 

 otherwise the shoots will push w r eakly. 



Air should be admitted freely every day, by open- 

 ing the sashes in the ordinary way, until the foliage 

 begin to expand ; and to an extent that the thermo- 

 meter may not rise to more than five degrees above 

 the fire-heat medium, in sunshine ; thus bringing a- 

 way the buds strong and vigorous. But after the 

 foliage begins to expand, except in fine weather, the 

 house should be chiefly aired by means of the ven- 

 tilators, until the blossom is over, and the fruit be- 

 gin to set ; or at least until the season become mild. 



The border must be duly and freely refreshed 

 with water ; generally once in two or three days ; 

 and if occasionally watered with the drainings of 

 the dunghil, it would add much to the vigour of the 

 plants. The branches should be watered once in 

 two days by the engine, with a considerable degree 

 of force, in order to keep the plants clean, and pre- 

 vent the breeding of the red-spider and thrips, 

 which are often very troublesome in the grape- 

 house. 



Vines whose- shoots have not been well ripened 

 last season, and particularly if they have been primed 

 late, often bleed after vegetation commences, which 



