160 



TREATISE ON THE 



the proper length, it should be attached to the 

 stake. This is generally done when the vine is 

 in blossom. In deferring this work too late, a 

 sensible loss or diminution will be a sure result 

 at the gathering, because the grapes which have 

 become a little injured or decayed, being exposed 

 too suddenly to the heat of the sun, weep and 

 discharge their fluid. The grapes thus partially 

 injured should be left perfectly tranquil, or they 

 will not recover their healthy soundness. Those 

 who tie up before the blossom is formed, where 

 the branch is sufficiently long, are not greatly in 

 error, if the fruit of the season be not too abun- 

 dant, or the weather rainy or very damp. In a 

 season when the fruit is very abundant, the oars, 

 which are usually numerous, being attached to 

 the supporting stakes, tend to keep the grapes 

 too much shaded; in which case the blossom 

 forms and falls with difficulty, causing the loss of 

 a considerable part of the fruit, and exposing 

 that which remains to the ravages of the worm, 

 which attacks more readily the grapes growing 

 in the shade, than those that are exposed to the 

 rays of the sun, particularly in a cool and rainy 

 season. We should not, therefore, prematurely 

 hasten the work of tying up, but wait until the 

 vine is in blossom. The buds thus near the soil, 

 and well exposed to the rays of the sun, expand 

 the blossom more easily, and part with it with 

 greater facility, which does not occur where the 

 vine is attached to the stake, before the season of 

 blossoming. 



Whatever has the tendency to retard the fall- 

 ing of the blossom, should be carefully avoided* 



