56 



CHAPTEE XL 



THE SETTING OF THE FRUIT. 



'HE flowering period and that of the setting of the fruit are 

 I anxious times to most cultivators of the Vine, especially in the 

 case of early forcing, so much being dependent upon the state 

 of the weather, and consequently upon the careful management 

 of the temperature and the atmosphere of the house. Vines in good 

 robust health set their fruit, in a general way, quite freely under the 

 proper conditions, but sickly ones do not, and the more sickly they 

 are the less satisfactory is the setting. 



By the setting of the fruit is meant the proper fertilization of the 

 ovary. If the flowers are not properly fertilized they will probably 

 fall off; or, perhaps, small berries may be formed, but as no seed can 

 be produced by reason of non-fertilization, they, as a consequence, 

 will not grow to their proper size. The fertilizing process, in a 

 mechanical point of view, consists of the application of the pollen 

 to the stigma, or point of the style or pistil of the flower. It is 

 effected at a very early stage, the little jerk occasioned by the 

 dislodgment of the " cap " or covering causing the pollen-dust to be 

 dispersed. This is generally effected naturally, or without any 

 assistance beyond the maintenance of the proper temperature, 

 atmospheric conditions, etc., and these, of course, vary according to 

 circumstances, which will be noticed more fully hereafter. 



Some cultivators consider it absolutely necessary to maintain con- 

 tinuously a very high temperature from 65 to 70 by night for 

 the setting of their Grapes. This may be desirable for the forcing-on 

 of the Grapes, but it is not really required for the mere " setting " of 

 the fruit. For example, in late houses, and on the open walls, the 

 Vines set their fruit quite freely at a much lower temperature ; we 

 have frequently seen it below 45 at night, and yet the Grapes have 

 set well. It is, therefore, fair to assume that a temperature ranging 

 from 55 to 60 by night is quite high enough for the mere purpose of 

 setting the fruit, provided there is the desired rise in the temperature 

 during the day. Be it noted that the setting process takes place in 

 the early morning and forenoon. The temperature by day should 

 always be high by sun-heat. If there is proper ventilation, the 

 cultivator should have no fear of a high sun-temperature. The 

 one great requirement is sunshine only not too suddenly bright after 

 dull weather with a fine mild bracing atmosphere, so that fresh air 

 in abundance may be admitted to the houses. It is the fine bracing 

 air when supplemented by the action of sun-heat which induces the 

 dispersion of the pollen, and by this means effects the setting of the 

 berries, 



