298 Diary of the Cultivation of the Grape Vine 



Z\st. — The most forward vines have swelled their berries 

 so fast that thinning has already been commenced. They 

 are the size of large peas. All the vines now having their 

 fruit well set, syringing has been commenced again. Dur- 

 ing the whole of May, the conservatory has been well aired, and 

 the plants are in the best condition. 



June 7lh. — Nearly all the plants have been removed from 

 the house. 



XAih. — The grapes have swelled up rapidly, and a few of 

 the clusters, not having been sufficiently thinned, have been 

 looked over again : house opened early, and closed in good sea- 

 son, and well damped and syringed. 



2Sth. — During the past fortnight, the vines have grown 

 well, and the fruit continues to swell freely. The house kept 

 well damped. 



July 12th. — Vines continue to grow linely, and copious sup- 

 plies of water are thrown over the walks at noon and night. 

 The wood now beginning to ripen, some of the lowest lat- 

 erals, which were left to prevent the breaking of the eyes, 

 were now cut oif to within two buds of the main shoot. 



August ist. — The berries of the Black Hamburgh begin to 

 color, and the Muscadine appears to be approachhig maturity. 

 The house closed early, and the walks damped, — wood ripen- 

 ing well. 



16th. — The Hamburghs have now all attained an even 

 dark color. The house is closed early, but damping the walks 

 to any extent is now discontinued. The Muscadine grape 

 nearly ripe. 



31st. — Some of the Hamburghs have swelled to a fine size. 

 The wood has ripened exceedingly well, and the vines ap- 

 pear in fine condition. 



This ends our Diary for this season. The grapes were cut 

 in September, and, though only from two to five bunches were 

 allowed on each vhie, they were of superior quality. 



DIARY OF THE FOURTH SEASON. 



Before commencing our Diary, we should remark, that the 

 vines were very strong, and were pruned back to half their 



