Propagation of the Grape Vine. 171 



down, as a standard to go by. Since what appears reasonable to one 

 person, is not equally so to another, so that in order to prosper in the 

 art of grape growing, as well as in any other kind of business, the 

 gardener must have a mind of his own, and learn to judge for him- 

 self on every occasion ; to endeavor to see clearly and distinctly, right 

 from wrong, as far as lies in his power ; remembering that continual 

 practice is worth volumes of theory, no matter however flowery it 

 may appear. 



Each vine the second year might be allowed to bear five or six 

 pounds of grapes. No doubt but they will show twice the weight 

 of fruit that I have recommended to be left : however, I should take 

 off the superfluity, preferring six pounds of ripe grapes, to twelve or 

 fifteen pounds not fit for the table. The leading shoot, or the next 

 to it, should be taken up to the top of the house, and carried along 

 horizontally, Jive or ^ix feet, before it is stopped. A shoot should 

 also be taken up from the bottom of the vine, to the top of the house, 

 and there stopped. The same treatment should be pursued, as just 

 stated, with every vine through the house ; it is probable they will 

 grow the second year very luxuriantly. The lateral shoots should be 

 left on, bearing in mind to stop the growth, at the first joint, looking 

 over them every time you enter the house, to see if all is going on 

 right. It is absurd to have set days, for different sorts of work in a 

 grapery or green-house ; every day and every hour is the time — there 

 is no time like time present — to remove any thing that should be re- 

 moved, because if left until another opportunity, the injury done 

 might be irreparable. After the laterals are stopped, they will soon 

 put forth another growth ; they should be stopped again at the 

 joint above the one that was stopped the first time, and kept at this 

 joint, by frequently looking over them the remainder part of the 

 season. The reason for leaving the laterals, is to prevent the fruit 

 bearing buds from prematurely starting to grow, which is frequently 

 the case if they are taken from a luxuriant growing vine. The shoots 

 ihat have the fruit on, should be treated in the same manner as recom- 

 mended for the laterals, with this exception, to stop them one joint 

 above the fruit. When the grapes are coming into flower, a regular 

 temperature should be kept night and day, to bring the whole into 

 bloom as nearly at one time as possible ; when this is not attended to, 

 the berries set irregular. I have frequently seen two or three differ- 

 ent sizes in the berries, in one bunch, and I have no doubt but it 

 generally arises from a want of a proper temperature at the time of 

 flowering. Thinning out the bunches is also necessary, when the 

 grapes are about as large as a pea ; this should be done with scis- 

 sors made for this purpose ; taking out at least one half of the berries, 

 and always the smallest, leaving the bunches as regular as possible. 



The second year of fruiting the vines, will be the time to put the 

 system I have recommended into practice. Having decided which end 

 of the house you will commence at, (it will be seen that there will 



