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iianks of the Rhine, where the north wind blows severely ) and it it 

 were not for this cheap and simple remedy against frost, there would 

 be little chance for the hope of the vintager in that quarter. 



Another means recommended, is sprinkling before sunrise by means 

 of an engine ; or the use of certain frost-conductors , invented by M. 

 Bienenberg, cultivator at Lignitz, in Siberia. The inventor assures 

 us that he has derived great advantage from them on fruit-trees for 

 several years. His frost-conductors are made with ropes of straw, or 

 hemp, or bark ; he winds them round the trees and coils the other 

 end at the bottom of a vessel filled with spring water. A single ves- 

 sel is sufficient for all the trees of a large espalier. Several of these 

 ropes may be put together to surround a definite space, but then both 

 of the ends must be led to the vessel, which should be at least 4 or G 

 yards distant from any tree, on account of the frost deposited in it, 

 and which, if too near, would strike back to some of the ransomed 

 trees. This singular preservative is used in several parts of Prus- 

 sia and Poland. Instead of moveable vessels, stationary reservoirs 

 might be put down with small expense, along the borders of every 

 vine-yard. It is an experiment worth trying on a large scale. 



2. Of Hail Storms. 



Next to the injuries of Frost, may be counted those of Hail ; a sin- 

 gle shower of which, in spring or summer, is sufficient to destroy the 

 hopes of the whole season. The hail tears the leaves, bruises the 

 shoots, breaks the stems, in fine, covers the whole vine with wounds 

 and hurts, and gives it the most dismal aspect. The only thing to be 

 done is to wait until the dreadful gust has passed, and immediately 

 prune the plant to re-establish it. The cutting should be made on the 

 old wood; only a few main-branches, and those cut short, are to be 

 left. All the condemned shoots must be cut away clean to the branch. 

 Not long after, the stock sends out a new crop of buds, which give 

 grapes the following year, and indemnify the owner the third year 

 by a most luxuriant vintage. Those who will not take the pains to 

 do this justice by their vines, have scarcely crops worth the name, 

 even at the third year. 



However, if the hail storm happens after the middle of July, it is 

 better to remove the wounded wood and no more, for there is then 

 but little to be gained by severe pruning. In the greater number of 

 places, the wood, from that time, will not have a chance to ripen, and 

 of course will be destroyed by the first winter frosts. But the bail 



