472 On Forcing Grapes, as practised in Denmark. 



My best Grapes for winter use are those which are ripened in 

 the Vine pits in which no fire is used, the forcing being con- 

 ducted solely by means of dung placed within the pit and 

 covered with tan : the Grapes thus treated ripen later, and 

 the Frankendal is particularly preferred for the purpose ; the 

 Chasselas Grapes from the natural walls, when perfectly ripe, 

 sometimes keep better than those which are forced. 



I last year observed a peculiar property in the Frankendal 

 Grapes in the vineries ; they were paler than usual, which 

 I chiefly attributed to the weather, for when the Grapes began 

 to change colour, the weather was cloudy and rainy for near 

 a fortnight, and when the berries have attained their proper 

 size and maturity without much sun, they will for the most 

 part remain pale. I have likewise observed that Grapes 

 which are forced in large houses will seldom attain so dark a 

 colour as those which are ripened in smaller houses, or in a 

 frame where the fruit can be more affected by the sun's rays. 

 In order to improve the colour of Grapes in large forcing- 

 houses, and cause the sun's rays to produce more effect on 

 them, I have for some years put boards under the trellis in 

 the vineries, placing them at such a distance from the Vines 

 that the Grapes might hang free. The result of this experi- 

 ment, when first made, answered my expectation, the Grapes 

 attained almost as fine a colour as those in the smaller houses, 

 and the boards so placed under the Vines were besides very 

 serviceable to the wood, assisting its ripening or maturity for 

 the next season ; but this system is only applicable to houses, 

 solely appropriated to Vines, as it would deprive any other 

 plants growing within the house, of sun and light. 



There is a vinery in the Royal Garden at Rosenberg, 



