302 THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



and Trebbiano, may be thinned whilst in flower with a view to securing the largest 

 berries in handsome bunches for exhibition. All the free-setting varieties, such as 

 Black Hamburgh, are usually ready for thinning in about ten days after the first 

 flowers open. Muscat of Alexandria and all shy setters should be left till the 

 fertilised berries approach the size of small peas, for making sure of a sufficient 

 number for swelling evenly to maturity. Characteristic examples of setting and 

 thinning are shown on the next page. 



Experienced growers cut off the surplus bunches before the flowers commence 

 opening, leaving the best shaped with fine even flower buds, and in any case the 

 bunches not wanted should be removed before commencing to thin those retained 

 sturdy-shouldered, even- outlined, and well set with berries of regular size. They 

 should be distributed as evenly as practicable over the vines. This not only adds 

 greatly to the appearance of a house of grapes, but secures uniformity in ripening, 

 for, when some parts of the vine are heavily and others lightly cropped, the fruit 

 finishes irregularly. The weight of grapes each vine will perfect is a difficult matter 

 to determine. Variety, health, and vigour of the vine, and the time of ripening, exert 

 influence on the crops. White Frontignan will not produce half the weight of grapes, 

 space for space, that Black Hamburgh will, nor will the Muscat of Alexandria afford 

 such a heavy crop as Foster's Seedling. Yines in the best condition will perfect 

 double the weight of fruit of weakly ones. Vines forced to ripen the fruit in March 

 and April produce a crop one-third less than those which ripen their crops in May 

 and June, and these in turn cannot afford nearly the weight of fruit of those which ripen 

 their crops in August and September. Ill-fed vines may languish under a burden of 

 \ pound of fruit to every foot-run of rod ; well-fed vines will finish 1 pound of grapes 

 perfectly on the same length. A vine finishes a greater weight of fruit when the 

 bunches range from | to 2 pounds each, than when the bunches are four to six times 

 as heavy. Medium-sized compact bunches invariably finish the best. With the bearing 

 shoots 18 inches apart alternately on the sides of the rod, f pound weight of fruit 

 (Black Hamburgh) to each lateral is a good crop ; if the bunches are likely to reach 

 \\ to 2 pounds, one such bunch to every other bearing shoot is sufficient. This 

 is equal to about 1 pound per foot of rod, but some vines perfect much heavier 

 crops, and regard must be had to the distance the rods are apart as well as to 

 the variety. Black Hamburgh with 4 to 5 feet between the rods affords as great 

 a weight of fruit as Muscat of Alexandria grown 1\ feet asunder. Growers must 



