By Mr. James Acon. 



7 



wards exposed. If the house be kept too cool at the be- 

 ginning, the wood will be soft and long jointed, and therefore 

 subsequently barren. Those who attempt to grow Late 

 Grapes, must pay serious attention to this circumstance, 

 the failures of many may be attributed to the neglect of 

 it. As much air as possible is given during the summer; 

 but as the autumn advances, more caution in this point is 

 observed. I endeavour to have the fruit perfectly coloured 

 at the approach of the dark season ; if the colouring be de- 

 ferred too long, the berries will never acquire their proper 

 flavour. The first object is to ripen the fruit well, after that 

 to maintain a more passive vegetation; if this be well 

 managed, the bunches will remain for months without any 

 apparent alteration. Great care must be observed daily to 

 remove such berries as are inclining to damp, otherwise the 

 whole crop will soon be spoiled. The Muscat of Alexandria, 

 the St. Peter's, and the Black Damascus, are the varieties 

 best adapted for late crops ; all the other kinds wither pre- 

 maturely. The gathering generally commences in the middle 

 of January, and continues till the end of March, at which 

 time the early house is in bearing. 



In pruning these Vines, the same system is followed as in 

 the early house, no wood is suffered to remain without fruit ; 

 by this I never fail to have an abundant crop. It will some- 

 times happen that the plants will bleed at the spring dres- 

 sing ; when this takes place, the best means I know of is to 

 keep the house warmer for a few days ; this mode of cure 

 seldom fails, the dry heat of one week will compress the wood 

 as effectually as a long winter. When the fruit is all gathered, 

 the house is unroofed for a short time, not with a view of 



