136 THE PARLOR GARDENER. 



growing in so many pots, and you may perhaps 

 fancy that the produce, however good in quality, 

 must needs be insignificant in quantity. Let us, 

 then, make a little calculation. Arithmetic, you 

 see, will thrust itself into all human affairs, horti- 

 culture not excepted. Well, then, each one of 

 your four distinct vines will have four main 

 branches, (that are cut down short, say to about 

 six inches in length ;) from each one of these 

 branches there will be two running vines, and 

 each one of these running vines will bear two 

 bunches of grapes. If all turns out well, as you 

 have reason to hope, you will then have to gather 

 in September or October how many bunches? 

 Why, if arithmetic be a reliable prophet, you will 

 have no less than sixty-four bunches of grapes. 

 Is not this number large enough to warrant your 

 inviting, if not all your acquaintances, yet at 

 least the whole circle of your most intimate 

 friends, to aid you in the joyous labors of your 



vintage ? 



Thinning out the Leaves. 



About a month before vintage time you will 

 have to perform upon your vines a chirurgical 



