CULTUEE 0^" THK VINE. 



17 



can be but one opinion as to the propriety of allowing the vines 

 the first ,year to break or shoot forth as nature dictates, only 

 assisting them at this stage with a moderate warmth, should the 

 weather be unpropitious. The night temperature should not be 

 allowed to range higher than fifty-five degrees, with an increase 

 during the day of ten or fifteen degrees, from the commencement of 

 their showing signs of vitality. Avoid upon all occasions a draught 

 or current of cold air, which is most prejudicial; and greater 

 injury is often done from this cause than may generally be sup- 

 posed. At the same time, I strongly advocate a free admission 

 of air, but which ought to be given upon principle, viz., allowing 

 it to pass off from the top of the house, where the temperature is 

 at all times the highest, consequently the impure portion of the 

 air has the more need of escape at the point of collection. If any 

 one will take the trouble to place himself immediately under 

 the top lights, wdien the sun in the morning throws his cheering 

 and powerful rays on the glass, he will at once perceive the ne- 

 cessity there is of admitting air at that point, and also of the care 

 which ought to be taken in opening the lights by little at a time, 

 particularly if the outward air is cold and piercing, for then even 

 a small admission of the chilling blast is sensibly felt on the per- 

 son. How much more must it be felt by the young and tender 

 shoots ! The evils arisfag from a glut or sudden rush of air 

 being at once admitted are incalculable. When the sifn is very 

 powerful, with a cold nipping wind (which is often the case even 

 in the months when we should expect a warm and balmy breeze), 

 I would rather allow the internal atmosphere to rise ten degrees 

 higher, than admit air from the front of the house in conjunction 

 with the top, preferring to give all that is available from the upper 

 part before resorting to other means. Many good crops of grapes 

 are destroyed for the want of due care being given 1^ proper and 

 judicious ventilation ; and this is often attributed to the border, 

 the situation, or any other cause but the right one. 



The treatment of the Muscat in pruning and thinning will in 

 no wise differ from that before recommended for the Hamburgh 



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