488 THE VINEYARD. [Sept. 
forming a step towards the ascertaining of the relative degrees of 
heat and cold, 8cc. in the various climates of the United States, which 
in practical horticultural and agriculture, is of considerable mo- 
ment, and the want of such information to me, in the writing of 
this treatise, is a loss which I greatly deplore. Without well au- 
thenticated information in this respect, there is no knowing what 
allowance to make for the difference of season in one climate from 
that of another, and consequently, the gardener or farmer in a dis- 
tant state of the Union, will not know how to avail himself of the 
practical experiments made in another, without running a hazard, 
that may prove unsuccessful, and ultimately deter him from the 
further pursuit of an object, perhaps, of the first importance, 
merely for want of a due knowledge of the proper allowance to be 
made for the difference of season. Therefore, it would be of se- 
rious advantage, were such observations to be made in every state 
of the Union, and confined principally, to such perennial and per- 
manent vegetable productions, as are common to all, or to the great- 
er number. I would propose some of these, but as there are so many 
Agricultural societies established, I am apprehensive that it might 
be deemed presumptive in an individual. However, I shall make 
observations on various plants in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, 
as to the progress of vegetation, and with pleasure communicate the 
result to those whom a desire for public utility, or a reciprocity of 
advantages, may stimulate to similar exertions. 
The annexed table is the result of many years experience at the 
observatory in Paris, and at other places, by the most correct meteo- 
rologists. 
Protect i ng the Fru it. 
Your early varieties of grapes will now be ripening very fast, and 
will sometimes be subject to the annoyance of birds, which are 
more apt to attack the fruit a little before sun rising and about the 
time of its setting, than in any other part of the day; it will be, 
therefore, prudent, to have boys with rattles to frighten them away, 
particularly about those hours. 
You should, also, destroy poke, wild cherries, and any other un- 
cultivated productions growing near the Vineyard, the fruit of 
which might invite a resort of birds. Should you observe an extra- 
ordinary resort of wasps in any quarter, and that they are destruc- 
tive to the fruit, hang up phials of honeyed or sugared water in such 
places, in which numbers of them will be caught and des- 
troyed. 
The ground between your vines must now be kept perfectly 
free from weeds, and all the branches tied up neatly, in order to af- 
ford the fruit the full advantage of air and sun, for its due perfec- 
tion. 
