64 



CHAPTEK XIII. 



KEEPING THE FKUIT. 



KAPES, unlike most other kinds of fruit, will keep in a ripened 

 state, and in a usable condition, on the plant ; a certain 

 amount of nourishment or sustentation being necessary to the 

 maintenance of the berries in a properly fresh and plump 

 condition. Grapes, although ripe, soon shrivel or decay if dissevered 

 from the Vine, excepting sustenance is provided in some way; 

 properly ripened, and placed under favourable conditions, they will 

 keep in excellent condition for a long time. The better they are 

 ripened, the better they will keep. Some varieties, however, possess 

 this keeping property to a far greater extent than others. The fact 

 of being thus able to keep ripe Grapes, prolongs the season of their 

 use, and greatly assists in maintaining a continuous supply. 



The cultivation of the Vine in glass-houses is the primary means by 

 which we are enabled thus to keep its fruit. Grapes grown in the 

 open air cannot be kept for any length of time onaccount of the weather, 

 but under glass they are under control. Vineries, therefore, that are 

 required for late or keeping Grapes should be so constructed as to 

 meet the special requirements of the case ; these are .the maintenance 

 of an equable temperature and a dry atmosphere, which are secured 

 by proper heating powers, and thorough ventilation. 



All Grapes that are required for late use should be ripened by the 

 end of September. Grapes that have to be ripened after this period 

 do not keep so well. The Gros Colman is an exception to this rule ; 

 the later they are, the better they keep. Although when the fruit 

 becomes ripe the most active period of the growth of the Vine is past, 

 it is not well, although it is a very old custom, to keep the borders 

 and the roots dry. The artificial drought is injurious to the roots, 

 which are still in action, and not beneficial to the fruit, for the longer 

 the foliage can be maintained fresh and green, the better the Grapes 

 will keep. Mr. William Taylor, of Longleat, now of Bath, does not 

 hesitate to water his inside borders on wet days, whilst the Vines are 

 laden with ripe fruit ; he has no fear of damp or mould arising in that 

 way, and he is right. His trust is in thorough ventilation by day 

 and by night, and the maintenance by fire heat of an equable temper- 

 ature, ranging as near 45 as may be possible. Constant daily 

 supervision is necessary, and great care should be taken to remove 

 any decaying berries. 



Ripe Grapes may be kept in good condition on the Vines unti] 

 March and April, or until the rise of the sap ; but if allowed to hang 



