CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 81 



and tliat the light may strike the vines on the back wall, (which are not in fruit this 

 season — not doing as well as the front vines, that receive the full force of the light 

 and sun.) 



When the fruit has attained the size of a pea, go through the vines with a pair of 

 sharp pointed scissors, and thin out the fruit full one half, always taking the smallest 

 berries ; and from time to time go over the vines and thin out the fruit until it begins 

 to color, after which time it will be of no use. This will be about the 5th of August. 

 Up to this time you have watered regularly with the soap-suds and guano, and syr- 

 inged the vines from one to three times a day, as the weather has admitted. As soon 

 as the fruit begins to color, discontinue the watering, and keep a current of hot dry 

 air passing through the house, that the wood may get thoroughly ripened and pre- 

 pared to do its duty next season. And if the fruit should turn soft and feel cold, cut 

 it off at once ; your vine is overcropped, and if sufliered to stay on, will destroy the 

 crop for another season and very much weaken the vine. 



About the 20th of June, sprinkle two pounds of the flour of sulphur at mid-day, 

 when the house is hot and dry, that some of the dust may fall on the foliage. This 

 will prevent the mildew. Repeat the same about the 1st of August, By the 15th of 

 August the Chasselas grape will be ready to cut. Keep the current of hot air passing 

 through the house. Pinch ofl" the upper end of the vine to stop the growth and 

 throw the sap into the lower part of the vine, and swell the buds. 



September 15th. Black Ha7nhurgh are now ready to cut. Your Black Prince 

 and Frontlgnan will hang on the vine until December, if you keep the house open 

 and cool. 



December loth. Cut the vines back to within two feet of where you did last year, 

 and all the spurs to within an eighth of an inch of the vine. Don't fear for your fruit 

 next season ; there will be plenty of buds push from the base of the spur. Wash 

 the vines with a preparation of soap-suds and sulphur — four pounds of sulphur to 

 two quarts of soap-suds, mixed to the consistency of cream ; apply with a paint brush, 

 and be sure to touch all the parts. Some add a little tobacco. Cover the \dnes with 

 straw, and the border with manure, the same as last year. 



Third Year. — As the season advances, open the house often when it is warm, to 

 keep the vines back so that the buds will not push too soon. Better not uncover 

 until the 10th of April, than have the buds push and then receive a check. When 

 you do start them, water the house freely and keep up a moist atmosphere, and guard 

 against a check. Uncover the borders, and replace with new or fresh manure from 

 the barnyard, to warm the roots. Examine the drain, to see that all water is carried 

 off readily ; for much — yes, one-half of your success depends upon keeping the roots 

 in a proper state ; no stagnant water must on any account be allowed to remain at 

 the bottom of the border. Let the vine remain down on the border the same as last 

 year, until the buds have pushed one or two inches ; then raise by degrees. Sev- 

 eral eyes will push from the base of last year's spurs ; rub off all but one, so that 



the spurs will be about six or eight inches apart on the vine. ^Iways rub or pinch (P 

 off the spur ; never cut. Water regularly the same as last year. As the fruit shows ^ 



