Grape Culture. 31 



Aim at having this compact, firm bunch well supplied with 

 berries right over the shoulders and coming close to the stalk 

 of the bunch. Grapes at this stage should never be touched 

 with the hand or the hair, the result of such would be detri- 

 mental to the bloom and disfigure the grapes. Thin out the 

 berries at this stage which are weak in the foot-stalk, and keep 

 a sharp look out for berries which are slightly transparent 

 these berries, not having been fertilised, must be cut out. 

 Also keep a look out for red spider, and sponge the foliage with 

 hot water and soft soap before it spreads. Retain a humid 

 atmosphere by damping the floors and borders in the morning 

 and afternoon. Avoid excessive moisture in vineries, as 

 this produces warts on the leaves, and gross, badly-ripened 

 wood, resulting next year in tendrils instead of bunches ; 

 but, worse than all, mildew, especially if the heat is down. 

 At this stage close the vineries at 90. If the weather is mild, 

 begin to leave a chink of air on the top of the houses, this will 

 keep the vines and foliage healthy. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

 THINNING THE THIRD TIME. 



IT requires an expert hand to thin a bunch at one operation, 

 except small bunches which may be so done. I/arge bunches 

 generally require to be gone over the second and third time. 

 At the second thinning take great care to cut off all small 

 bunches ; regulate and remove the berries in accordance to 

 the variety under treatment. Also consider the size of each 

 bunch and the weight you intend each vine to carry. If 

 over- cropped, the grapes will fail to put on a perfect colour 

 and bloom. Badly-coloured grapes are only second-rate in 

 flavour, and over-cropping sometimes causes shanking. On 

 the other hand, too light cropping of young, vigorous vines 

 will just cause gross wood, which is seldom, if ever, properly 

 ripened or matured, resulting in shanking or a crop of tendrils 

 instead of bunches, which is also caused by too humid an 



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