180 THE GRAPE. 



OUT-DOOR CULTURE. 



In this department, when the buds are burst so far as 

 to show which are likely to be the most suitable shoots 

 for training in the right places, or to be left for fruiting, 

 go over the whole and rub off all that are not wanted, or 

 which, if left, would produce superfluous growth. This 

 operation requires some study as the work proceeds. A 

 reference to the illustrations in former pages will explain 

 what is here meant, and the reader will readily perceive 

 which buds ought to be taken out and which left to grow. 

 I wish most particularly to impress the importance of 

 this dis-budding upon all who desire either profit, or 

 grapes of the best quality. It will save much after- 

 labor in the way of summer pruning, and be of advantage 

 to the vines and fruit by more fully exposing the leaves 

 to air and light. The branches are less crowded, and 

 the carbonic acid more thoroughly decomposed, thus 

 forming a larger amount of saccharine matter in the fruit, 

 and better ripened and firmer wood for the next year. 



COLD GRAPERY. 



The vines in this house may now be uncovered, even in 

 the coldest localities. Examine them to see if any injury 

 has been done by the extreme cold of the past winter, 

 which will show itself in the fonn of longitudinal slits, or 

 openings along the canes, especially near the upper ex- 

 tremities. These will, in a sliort time, become dark- 

 colored on the edges, and begin to " bleed," and without 

 great caution the whole, or a large portion of the cane, 

 Avill die ofi". The best thing in such cases is to tie the 

 stem to the roof-wires at once, and keep a lower temper- 

 ature for a week or two. If, notwithstanding this, the 

 buds do not burst, and the sap still continues to ooze out, 

 do not cut down immediately, but wait xuiWi a healthy 



