16 THE FLORIST AND 
the stems, conduces to healthfulness and success. Why then should the 
grape vine be made an exception, for it is subject to and is governed by the 
same law as other parts of the vegetable kingdom, and the reason why it 
does not so soon resist the bad treatment which is so often practised upon it,* 
is on account of its greater docility of constitution. For late crops the 
planting outside is not of so much consequence, as the natural temperature 
only differs comparatively little from the outside, but for early forcing, it is 
absolutely requisite that the stems should be in the house, and if possible, 
the roots ought to be kept in the same temperature as the tops. To accom- 
plish this desirable desideratum, some of the best cultivators in Britain cover 
over the borders during winter and spring, with a sufficient depth of fermen- 
ting manure, and replenish it as the heat decreases ; this may do well 
enough where the winters are not severe, but in such a climate as the 
Middle and Northern States of America, the same practice cannot be satis- 
factorily adopted, for, owing to the severity of the weather, there would be 
no end to labor, and the quantity of material required ; so that we ought to 
have recourse to other and more convenient means to accomplish the same 
end, if we wish to acquire the best results, and endanger as little as possible 
the welfare of the plants. We may get along pretty well by covering over 
with a good depth of tree leaves, or other like material, that will arrest the 
escape of the heat contained in the soil, and prevent the penetration of 
cold, but this is nothing but a make-shift job and only partly answers the 
purpose. A better substitute, and a much more effectual plan is to cover 
the border with glazed sashes or wooden shutters, and to conduct an extra 
pipe from the hot water apparatus, or a length of flue, which may be con- 
veyed around the outside and sunk in a cavity, so that the top may be open 
and even with the surface. During the time when forcing is going on, the 
heat may in this way, be made to circulate over the surface, and forms a 
stratum of warm air within the chamber made by the covering, which ought 
not to be elevated more than six inches above the upper level of the border, 
so as to keep the collected heat more immediately near the roots, and 
prevent waste by limiting cubic bulk. Wooden shutters are best, so far as 
retaining the artificial application is concerned, there is likewise no danger 
of breakage, but glass sashes have the advantage of collecting a considerable 
degree of caloric during sunshine, and will somewhat counterbalance the 
loss of its conducting properties. No doubt some persons who may be dis- 
^posed to have early grapes may think such appurtenances very troublesome 
and expensive, to which we would answer, if a thing is worth doing at all, 
do it well, for all horticultural products are cheapest when well attended to. 
