186 THE Gil APE. 



water entirely withheld inside of the house as the coloi- 

 ing progresses. At this time, a grape-vine will be main- 

 tained in a healthy state, if kept very dry. We are, 

 however, sometimes compelled to apply water, to j^i"*"- 

 vent the encroachment of insects; but when this becomes 

 a necessity, the water should never come in contact with 

 the fruit, as it would cause some kinds to burst their 

 skins, and all would be injured in appearance by the 

 " bloom " being washed from the surface of the berries. 

 For the latter reason, the bunches should not be touched 

 with the fingers, or rubbed in any way, while hanging 

 on the vines. As the side-shoots continue to push fresh 

 growth, the tops will need to be shortened-in to one leaf 

 above the former pinching ; but in young canes of the 

 present season, the top may be allowed to extend, and 

 the laterals shortened to one leaf as they continue to 

 increase. The later successions of grapes will require 

 the same treatment which was recorded for this, in the 

 last two months, and need not be repeated here. 



RETAEDIXG HOUSE. 



With the retarded crop the temperature maybe main- 

 tained as low as possible for some time yet, and a very 

 small quantity of water used. 



JUNE . 



OUT-DOOR CULTURE. 



The vines in this department will now be in active 

 progress. As the shoots elongate, nip out the tops to 

 three or four leaves above the fruit-bunches, but allow 

 those intended for next year's wood to extend them- 

 selves for the present, rubbing off all that are super- 

 fluous. Now is the time to save much after-labor in 



