THE CULTURE OF THE GKAFE. 21 



em one will enable the cultivator to produce the most de- 

 licious grapes." I have houses fronting northeast and 

 southwest, (of course, with such aspect, the houses are 

 gl^s on all sides,) east and west, southeast and northwest, 

 and the other intervening points of the compass. I have 

 carefully noted the effect of the different positions, and 

 can, in the strongest language, recommend the aspect of 

 southj inclining a lit;tle to east, as the best. Southeast is 

 the next best ; and east-southeast is preferable to south- 

 west. The front of a house exposed to the west winds 

 (which are our coldest in winter and spring,') is liable to a 

 very low temperature till the sun suddenly shines upon 

 it, and then comes a sudden and rapid accumulation of 

 heat, very prejudicial to the welfare of the vines. I do 

 not wish to be understood as saying that grapes cannot be 

 grown in any but just such a position ; I know that they 

 can be ; hut the care requisite, and the chances of failure, 

 are greater in ratio as the house in its aspect deviates 

 from the best position. These remarks apply particularly 

 to the northern states ; in the middle and southern, it may 

 be advantageous to avoid the great heat of the sun, if it 

 is intended to grow grapes under glass, and that in such 

 a position the best aspect for the front of the grapery may ' 

 be west-northwest. 



THE HOUSK 



The common lean-to house is the best for forcing ; from 

 thirteen to fifteen feet high on the back, four feet on the 

 fron*. and twelve feet wide on the inside, are suitable pro- 



