366 FORCING DEPARTMENT. 



ripening, would be injurious to its flavour ; therefore, 

 the atmosphere of the house should be kept in as 

 dry a state as possible, to enhance the flavour of the 

 fruit. Should any insects be still in existence, they 

 ought to be destroyed before the berries begin to 

 colour ; but if the syringe or engine has been applied 

 every evening with considerable force, until this 

 period, little of the red spider will remain ; and it is 

 but seldom the Vines are attacked by much of the 

 green fly ; they are, however, more subject to the 

 depredations of thrips, which, if not checked in their 

 first progress, will commit sad devastations on the 

 foliage ; therefore, recourse must be had to fumiga- 

 tion, which will readily suppress these destructive 

 agents. If any of the red spider makes its appear- 

 ance, slight sprinklings of sulphur over the hot-pipes 

 will subdue them. When the fruit is colouring, 

 they should be exposed as much as possible to the 

 sun and light ; but cautiously observing not to 

 deprive the Vine of its leaves for this purpose, which 

 might promote the maturity of the Grape before it 

 was perfectly coloured, only removing a few of such 

 leaves as appear crowded and to overshade the 

 bunches. When ripe Grapes are wanted at an early 

 period of the year, the exciting of the Vine should 

 be commenced with early in October; and by pursu- 

 ing a similar routine of culture, ripe fruit may be 

 obtained early in April; but they should not be 

 forced at such a season, until the Vines are fully 

 established, when they will stand early acceleration 

 without injury. The compartment intended for a 

 late crop, should be planted with the latest growing 



