GRAPE VINES THINNING THE FRUIT. 303 



exercise judgment in cropping vines, and if thoy err at all it should not be in over- 

 cropping them 



Early in the morning and during the evening is the pleasantest time to thin grapes. 



Fig. 92. GRAPES AT THE THINNING STAGE. 



References : B, branchlet of Gros Guillaume iii flower : left-hand side unthinned ; right-hand side thinned. C, 

 small bunch of Black Hamburgh : left-hand side before thinning ; right-hand side after thinning. D, branchlet ol 

 Muscat of Alexandria set fairly well. E, branchlet of Muscat of Alexandria with berries of thinning size : e, fertilised 

 berries ; all the other berries stoneless. F, branchlet of Muscat of Alexandria set badly : /, fertilised berries that 

 alone swell to full size. 



Small and medium-sized compact bunches seldom require the shoulders to be tied up, 

 for the berries as they swell raise each other, and the bunches remain even in outline 



