286 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



sitively, and refuses its functions. It is for these reasons that 

 graperies lieated by hot water, and other analagous means, radia- 

 ting low heat from a larger amount of sm-face, instead of a high 

 temperature from a lesser radiating surface will succeed best; thus 

 a flue-house, deriving its heat from the action of fire, so rapidly 

 distends the moisture of the atmosphere without its altering its 

 hygrometic proportions too fast, and the leaves give note of the 

 fact by yellowing at their edges, which soon spreads itself over 

 the whole leaf, as a telltale of the continued neglect in supplying 

 moisture. 



During the first year's growth no artificial heat is required. 

 One shoot alone should be taken from the vines and trained up 

 to each rafter, and in its after management the laterals for the 

 first eight feet, or to the point where the roof commences its an- 

 gle, should be pinched oft' at two eyes, and thus continue shorten- 

 ing them at a joint from the original eye ; but the laterals above 

 this point should be left to run wild for the first season, for the 

 leaves on these laterals are the true lungs of the plant, and have 

 recipient powers like those of the roots, and the leaves of the vine 

 are dependent upon the healthy and natural condition of these 

 terminal laterals. The intense action of the sun's heat on the 

 lower part of the vine should be abridged, by a light coating of 

 ■whitewash on the lower tier of sashes. 



The angle of the grape house from the point of insertion of 

 rafters, should be about 30°, and this will permit the fruit to 

 hang clear of the foliage. When this angle is, as in many houses, 

 at 45'=', the fruit will touch the foliage, and in a moist house will 

 damage both fruit and foliage. 



PRUNING. 



The vines should be pruned early in December, cutting them 

 back to within eight eyes of the insertion of the rafter at the 

 front, usually called the angle, below which the eyes should be 

 rubbed off as fast as they appear. The vines should then be taken 

 down from the rafters, after pruning, and laid along the front 

 wall for protection during winter, so as to prevent their bursting 

 by alternate freezings and thawings, and action of the sun. They 

 thus remain in an abnormal condition, until required to be ele- 

 vated in the spring. 



The frequent watering before recommended, secures the proper 

 supple condition of the cutis^ or skin, and all the functions of 

 growth may be availed of more healthily, than if the vines dui-- 

 ing this early stage be forced by unnatural means. 



