Subsequent results have shown that the bunches in question were properly 

 thinned. The above table shows that in the same variety there are considerable 

 differences between the percentages of berries to be removed from different 

 bunches. It is, therefore, not possible to say precisely what percentage of 

 berries should be removed in thinning each variety of grape. Still, it will be 

 noticed that there are on the whole considerable differences between the 

 different varieties. Thus the variety called " Kirsten," which is 

 marked with an asterisk in the above list, needed very heavy thinning 

 indeed as compared with the other varieties. When table grapes for export 

 are to be produced upon a large scale, we should try to grow such varieties 

 as do not require to have more than about 45 per cent, of their berries 

 removed when thinning, unless they are of such great excellence as to pay 

 well for this extra amount of work. In the above list Gros Colman, Barlinka, 

 and Prune de Cazouls required least thinning (42-43 per cent.), and they 

 are three excellent export varieties. 



In the case of Eosaki di Smyrna and Dattier de Beyrouth, all the thin- 

 ning required consisted in removing the few small berries. They, indeed, 

 require less thinning than any other varieties known to the writer. They are 

 excellent for export. Hanepoot requires a very variable amount of thinning. 

 In years when the berries have set well, it will require up to 50 per cent, thin- 

 ning, whereas in years when the berries have set badly, the thinning will be 

 almost nil, and will be limited to the removal of a few small berries. 



(d) Almeria Grapes. As it was felt that the Almeria grape should have 

 a great future in South Africa, cuttings of this variety, known as Ohanez, 

 were imported into the Cape early in 1910, through the good offices of the 

 British Consul in Almeria. It was in due course propagated at the Paarl Viticul- 

 tural Station, where it is grown on different systems of trellising, including 

 the Almeria overhead trellis. It was grafted on Jacquez and on Aramon. 

 both thus far doing well. The 1915 crop, which was fairly heavy, was almost 

 completely destroyed by the ordinary Fruit Fly. 



The 1916 crop was a good one. By applying two sprays with poisoned 

 bait against Fruit Fly on the 22nd February and 3rd March, the whole crop 

 was saved. It would, therefore, appear that the Fruit Fly is not any serious 

 difficulty in the production of Almeria grapes. Owing to a more favourable 

 season, the grapes were picked on the 14th March, which was about six weeks 

 earlier than the year before. The best results were obtained from the over- 

 head trellis (Almeria system), where the ninety-six vines, planted 6 ft. X 6 ft., 

 gave an average of one 10-lt). box of grapes per vine, which is very satisfactory. 

 Half of these grapes was exported to London and fetched from 6s. to 8s. per 

 box. The remainder was sold on the Johannesburg market as follows : 

 On 20th June, 12 boxes at 5s. to 6s. per box ; on 4th July, 15 boxes at 5s. per 

 box ; on 9th August, 9 boxes at 7s. to 8s. per box. The average price realized 

 was 5s. 8d. per box. It must, however, be pointed out that just a little more 

 than half of the grapes harvested for local sale could thus be spld, as there 

 was a fair loss in keeping them so late. This would still work out at an average 

 price of about 3s. per 10-lft. box harvested, which is very profitable indeed. 

 These grapes were stored in the wine cellar, some being packed in corkdust 

 and others wrapped in paper, each bunch by itself. Neither of these methods 

 seem to be very satisfactory. In future the Almeria grapes will be stored 

 by packing them in single layers on fruit trays, which will be kept in a fairly 

 cool and dry place, stacked one on top of the other. This has already been 

 done last season by a private farmer on my advice, and was attended with 

 very good results. I prefer this method to keeping in cold store. Future 

 experiments will, no doubt, prove the accuracy of my contention. 



