in the Greenhouse or Conservatory. 311 



in the large shouldered kinds, a small stick may be made use 

 of to lift the shoulder up so as to cut out the inner berries. 



THINNING THE BUNCHES. 



This is a matter of much importance to the future health 

 and well doing of the vines. On no account overbear young 

 vines. There is no rule by which to be governed, as some 

 vines are stronger than others, and something depends on the 

 border. It may be safe to say that the spurs should not be 

 nearer than one foot apart, and that each spur should not be 

 allowed to mature but one bunch : they often show three, and 

 amateurs are too apt to leave two or more on. Experience is 

 the only sure guide ; but it is better to have too small a crop 

 than too large £tone. The bunches should be cut out as soon 

 as the berries are sufficiently swelled to see which are the 

 best shape. Our vines matured and colored well, about twenty 

 clusters each, averaging one pound to the bunch. 



PRUNING. 



At the end of the fourth season, the vines will have reached 

 the top of the house, and the future pruning will be merely 

 to secure a good spur every year ; for we premise that the 

 spur system will be adopted, as it has been with us. Some 

 cultivators cut the old spur clean out : this is Mr. Russell's 

 plan. Our mode is to cut back to the first or second eye, — 

 generally the second, as it is larger and fuller than the first, 

 but always select a prominent one, even if the third. This 

 eye will produce the fruit ; but, as the spur which it forms 

 must be cut out after it has borne, provision should be made 

 for one to take its place : this is done by selecting one of the 

 shoots which spring from the numerous buds at the base, at the 

 time of disbudding, and tieing it in to the trellis, stopping 

 it, and otherwise managing it during the year in the same 

 way as the fruit-bearing ones. At the autumn pruning, the 

 old spur is cut off close to the main stem, thus leaving it 

 straight and clean. If this plan is not adopted, the old spurs 

 would become crooked and unsightly, and, in a short time, 

 extend far beyond the trellis. The same practice is to be 

 followed every year, always bringing up a new spur to take 



