76 



OPEN-AIR CULTURE. 



the bottom of the wall where the roots of the vines are, 

 Avith fern, straw, or any such litter, as soon as the sun 

 ceases to shine on it; to be uncovered every morning 

 when the sun shines on it again. In this way the heat 

 derived from the sun is retained in the soil, instead of 

 passing off by radiation, as it soon does, especially in 

 clear cold nights. With a wooden rake the operation 

 of covering and uncovering is soon performed, and 

 might with great advantage be applied to other wall 

 fruit-trees as well as to the vine. 



Various methods of protecting the young buds of the 

 vines from spring frosts, such as covering with oiled 

 calico, old fishing-nets, &c., will suggest themselves to 

 all concerned. A considerable width of projecting 

 coping is of much importance, in as far as, besides 

 sheltering from frost, it throws the wet clear of the 

 foliage and fruit of the vine. As soon as the grapes 

 are set the soil may receive a good watering with soap- 

 suds or any other liquid manure, to be repeated occa- 

 sionally during the summer if the season is a dry one. 

 During autumn and winter the roots should be kept as 

 dry as circumstances mil admit of. In no case would 

 I put a permanent mulching over the roots during 

 summer, as it prevents the warming of the soil by the 

 sun. A few cucumber or melon lights fixed against 

 the wall, so as to cover the \dnes during autumn, will 

 hasten the ripening of the fruit, and protect it from 

 heavy rains. From what I have seen of the field 

 culture of vines for producing wine in France and 

 Germany, I consider that, by the application of greater 

 horticultural skill, the crops of grapes might be very 

 much increased, but it would be difficult to break 

 through the strong crust of prejudice that exists in 

 favour of things as they are. 



