206 



Diary of the Cultivation 



23 



24 

 25 

 26 



27 

 2S 

 29 

 SO 



71 



78 



the vines, to fall below 75°; but owing to the 

 faulty construction of the house, it has been al- 

 most impossible to keep up a regular heat. 



The grapes on the black Hamburg vines are most- 

 ly set; those at the top of the house as large as 

 small peas, while those below are just out of 

 bloom. Many of the bunches show great pro- 

 mise, and the vines look remarkably vigorous 

 and strong, with the exception of one vine, next 

 the partition glass, which made the largest wood 

 last season, apparently fully ripe and little pith; 

 notwithstanding these favorable promises, it show- 

 ed little fruit, and the shoots are small and weak. 



Cut out about fifty bunches in thinning. 



Commenced syringing again, twice a day, in fine 

 weather. Moisture is also plentifully supplied by 

 keeping the pans well filled with water. 



Much rain during the last week: have kept a brisk 

 fire in the day, and admitted air. The vines 

 look finely. Continue thinning and shouldering 

 the bunches, after cutting out about one half their 

 number. [By shouldering is understood tying up 

 the shoulders on the large clusters to the trellis, 

 so that they may not press upon the lower part 

 of the bunch. — Ed.} 



Plenty of air admitted. 



Grapes now swelling ofF finely. 



