CULTURE OF THE VINE, &c. 
129 
feen good crops of grapes perfected this way ; the berries on 
the bunches do not ripen equally : From the conflant heat and 
reflexion of the wall, the berries on the fide of the bunch 
next it will be ripe long before thofe in front, which will render 
the bunch unlightly, and hardly fit for the table at any feafon. 
Befides, both wall and border being at all times expofed to the 
weather, the fruit will become infipid in along wet feafon. It 
is further to be obferved, that the berries of many forts of 
grapes are very fubjedl to crack in wet weather, after which 
they generally either foon decay, or become a prey to wafps 
and flies. 
In fome feafons there are many kinds of grapes which will 
ripen well againfl: common walls, and particularly in the 
Southern counties of this kingdom. But Vines againfl; walls, 
without any covering, are liable to feveral misfortunes. The 
refledlion of the wall conflantly brings out the young (hoots at 
an early period in the fpring : They are frequently injured, 
and fometimes totally deflroyed, by (harp frofty nights, not 
unufual in the beginning of May, and which fometimes hap- 
pen even at the latter end of that month. 
A cold fummer retards the ripening of grapes expofed to the 
weather, and a wet autumn renders them infiped and of little 
value. 
In order to fave expence, oiled paper is fometimes ufed in- 
ftead of glafs but Vines do not fucceed well under fuch a 
R covering. 
