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KEP0RT ON THE 



unobstructed light on the foliage. The renovating effects of 

 this for a whole season must undoubtedly enable the vines to 

 produce a superior crop to any that could otherwise be obtained. 

 The principle will hold good in England, or anywhere else, pro- 

 vided the heat of the climate is sufficient to ripen the wood 

 without artificial heat and covering. This indeed must limit the 

 full adoption of the method ; but the latter may, notwithstanding, 

 be usefully borne in mind, and the principle may be acted 

 upon wherever circumstances will permit. For example, I 

 believe it will not be denied that better grapes have generally 

 been produced in old vineries with sliding sashes, than in those 

 with fixed roofs, and ventilating holes in the front, and back walls 

 for admitting sufficient draught of air. Sliding sashes not only 

 admit air, but likewise the free light to a considerable quantity 

 of the foliage, during portions of the brightest days ; and thus, 

 to some extent, the advantages of M. Bergmann's method are 

 ensured. Fixed roofs, on the contrary, entirely preclude the 

 admission of light except through the medium of the glass, and it 

 may be concluded they are not the best construction for the vine. 



A number of men were employed trenching a large extent of 

 lawn. The grass, when laid down after the soil has been trenched 

 and manured, keeps longer green when the heat and drought 

 become excessive, than would otherwise be the case. This 

 process, repeated in the course of several years, is an expensive 

 mode of maintaining verdure ; but it is doubtless the best. In 

 kitchen-garden cropping it is well known that they who trench 

 in winter save much time as regards watering in summer, and if 

 plenty of manure can likewise be afforded, most crops will re- 

 quire but little watering, even in very dry seasons. They are 

 also better than where the ground, from not being so prepared, 

 requires daily large supplies of water during a long period of 

 drought, and hence occasioning perhaps much more expense than 

 would have been incurred by previous trenching. 



Trees and shrubs appeared to thrive well, but more ever- 

 greens might be introduced with good effect, together with 

 additional species of ornamental trees. I observed, as worthy 

 of particular notice, a remarkably fine specimen of the Juniperus 

 virginiana, var. pendula. 



Nursery of Messrs. Jamin et Durand, Hue de JBvffon. — > 

 M. Jamin's nursery here is but small, and may be considered 

 chiefly as a depot for trees to supply his orders. Along the 

 sides of the walks some fine tall specimens of pyramid Pear-trees 

 were remaining ; but the greater part had been just removed to 

 his new nursery-grounds, of considerable extent, at Bourg la 



