THE CULTURE OF THE GKAPE. 121 



kept at as low a temperature, night and day, as the safe- 

 ty of the plants will admit ; the treatment should be thp — 

 same for the season, except the covering of them •rorai^-' 

 mats, which would be unnecessary. 



Thwd Year. 



The third season, air the house, as directed the las\'^ 

 year ; uncover the vines from the first to the middle of "^ 

 April, as the spring may be mild or cool ; keep them in 

 their horizontal position, until the eyes have all pushed ; 

 have a moist atmosphere, by sprinkling the vines and 

 the floor several times every day. About the twentieth 

 of April, or the first of May, they will have pushed their 

 buds so as to be all ready to be put to the rods, or trellis. 



During the season, give air freely when the sun shines ; 

 shut up the windows towards night, as the sun recedes 

 from the house. The mercury should not rise above 

 seventy-five, until the blossom is over ; after that has 

 passed, eighty or ninety, at midday, will do no harm ; 

 occasionally, wet the floor of the house in the afternoon ; 

 the inside border must be watered as often as the roots 

 of the vine require ; continue this treatment for the sea- 

 son. As the grapes begin to color, be cautious in 

 watering, and, after they are fully colored, do not give 

 water at all until the grapes are all cut, leaving open 



in the autumn, the insects, (if any,) when the leaves drop, are, by these ■ 

 means, conveyed to the plants again. In the treatment of the vine thus 

 situated, the -rules for pruning, thinning, &o., must be followed. As re- 

 gards temperature, etc., they must be subject to the treatment given to the 

 plants, so long as the plants are in the house. It will be the better plan to. 

 keep the vines from pushing, as long as possible, in spring, by having as 

 low .1 temperature as the plants will thrive in. 

 6 



