APPENDIX 163 



are then, perfectly frost-proof; in mild weather in 

 winter the ventilating bricks may be replaced, and the 

 straw removed till frost again occurs. 



With respect to the most preferable dimensions for 

 th^e structures — the size No. 1, thirty inches wide at 

 base, will suffice for one vine in the centre for ten years 

 or so; but as I perceive my old vines to be a little 

 straitened for room, I advise a width of three feet 

 at the base, and No. 2, for two vines or two cordons, 

 of three feet ten inches, instead of three feet six 

 inches. 



In these more roomy structures the vines may be 

 trained to stout galvanised iron wires, supported with 

 iron rods flattened at top and perforated, so that the 

 wire passes easily through ; these wires should be about 

 one foot from the surface of the slates, and the suspended 

 bunches, partially resting on them, will ripen admirably. 

 I ought to add, that a friend with much gardening 

 experience finds his strawberries ripen ten days earlier 

 than those in the open air, and his melons, planted on 

 new, fresh, fermenting manure, in. a trench, are free 

 from red spider, and produce fine fruit. It is the con- 

 stant ventilation, night and day, and the heavy dew, 

 the result of arrested radiation, that seems to baffle this 

 tiresome plague ; for although my vines are never 

 watered or syringed, they are always vigorous and free 

 from red spider. The most eligible varieties of grapes 

 for ground vineries are, the Black Hamburgh, Buckland 

 Sweetwater, Royal Muscadine, Early Smyrna Fron- 



M 2 



