FBOT. 171 



Shutting up early in the afternoon is recommended bj- some 

 to utilise the natural heat and save the artificial. This, in a 

 certain measure, is to be commended ; but in closing the ven- 

 tilators while the sun's raj-s are so strong as to raise the 

 temperatiire to 100° or more, and then deluging the house 

 with water through the engine or syringe, amounts to what is 

 termed the '• steaming system," and is not at all a wise or 

 natural process. This saturated atmosphere may be con- 

 genial to rapid growth, but when it is made at the expense 

 of the perfect elaboration of the sap and consolidation of the 

 tissue, a check is given to the functional operations, causing 

 general derangement, from which can be traced some of the 

 disorders of the vine which are often attributed to other 

 causes, and consequently excessive moisture in a close atmos- 

 phere should be avoided. During the stoning period, undue 

 forcing is certain to produce scalding in the berries of varieties 

 liable to it, but a free circulation of air both night and day 

 with 5° less of heat will prevent its occurrence to any great 

 extent. When the berries are stoned and begin to swell, the 

 former conditions as to heat, moisture, and manuring should 

 be resumed. When signs of colour appear, a copious watering 

 should be given to any varieties of which the berries are liable 

 to crack. After this they should be kept comparatively dry 

 till the ripening is complete, when sufficient water may be 

 given to keep the roots active and healthy without any danger 

 of the berries cracking ; but to prevent injury by damp, the 

 watering should be done on a dry clear morning. Other 

 varieties may be watered when necessary throughout the 

 ripening process, and some dry mushroom-bed manure spread 

 on the border to prevent evaporation. Keep up a free circu- 

 lation of dry wai'm air at night by leaving a small opening at 

 top and front, keeping up the same temperature of 70° for 

 [Muscats and 6-5° for the others, to be gradually reduced as the 

 final stage is reached. 



A careful watch should always be kept for the appearance 

 of red spider, which should be washed o£E with a sponge and 

 soapy water to prevent it spreading. Syringing with insecti- 

 cides is now unsuitable, and even rain-water, from having 



