88 FRUIT GARDEN. 
By far the most of the foreign grapes raised in the 
United States, under glass, are brought forward without 
fire-heat; the sun’s rays, when properly taken advantage 
of, being sufficient to produce maturity in almost every 
variety. The routine of the grape-house culture without 
fire-heat is as follows: The vines which had been trimmed, 
and perhaps laid down in the beginning of winter, should 
be raised up and washed with strong soapsuds, to which 
some tobacco decoction may be added. They should have 
all the rough bark removed, and cleaned thoroughly, after 
which they may be tied up in their proper places. After 
they put out, they should be syringed with water about an 
hour after sunrise every morning, should the sashes be on 
the house. After the fruit hag set, the vines may be 
syringed every afternoon, the house being previously shut 
up, not to be re-opened till the sun has warmed up the air 
next day, usually about nine or ten o'clock, at which time 
the top sashes may be let down to admit air, and the ther- 
mometer not allowed to rise above ninety or one hundred 
degrees. When the fruit attains the size of peas, the 
syringing is discontinued by some, whilst by others it is 
kept up till the grapes begin to change color. 
As the season advances, and during the sultry days of 
July and August, mildew is to be looked for, and may be 
readily recognized by the yellowish and sickly transpa- 
rency of the leaves, which have a soft and greasy feel. 
The destruction wrought through mildew is often so rapid 
and extensive that where the least signs appear, the most 
prompt measures should be taken to check its extension. 
Copious syringing with water, twice a day, is recommended 
as one of the best remedies, allowing the freest possible 
circulation of the air from ten to three o'clock, if the sun 
shines. When the disease has made considerable progress, 
