FRUIT-GARDENING. 123 



further, that of supporting the shoulders of such clusters of 

 the large-growing kinds as hang loosely, and require to be 

 suspended to the trellis or branches, in order to prevent the 

 bad effects of damp or mouldiness in very moist seasons. Of 

 these, the Hamburgh, Lombardy, Royal Muscadine, Raisins, 

 St. Peter's, Syrian, Tokay, and others, should have their shoul- 

 ders suspended to the trellis, or to the branches, by strands of 

 fresh matting, when the berries are about the size of garden 

 peas. At the same time, the clusters should be regularly thinned 

 out with narrow-pointed scissors, to the extent of from a fourth 

 to a third part of the berries. The other close-growing kinds, 

 as the Frontignacs and Muscats, should likewise be moderately 

 thinned, observing to thin out the small seedless berries only 

 of the Muscadine, Sweet Water, and flame-colored Tokay. In 

 this manner, handsome bunches and full-swelled berries may 

 be obtained ; but more so, if the clusters of overburdened plants 

 be also moderately thinned away. Indeed, cutting off the 

 clusters, to a certain extent, of plants overloaded, and pushing 

 weak wood, are the only means by which to cause them to 

 produce shoots fit to bear fruit next year ; and this should be 

 duly attended to so long as the future welfare of the plants 

 is a matter of importance." 



ROSE-BUGS ON GRAPE-VINES. 



"When the rose-bugs first appear on the vines, they are so 

 feeble as to be unable to fly even for a few yards. I directed 

 my men to take each a cup, with a little water in it, and go 

 through the vineyards every morning, removing every bug 

 from the vines ; and this was done quite rapidly by passing 

 the cup under the leaf and merely touching it, when the bugs 

 instantly dropped, and were received in the cup containing the 

 water. When the cup was full, they were soon destroyed by 

 crushing them with the foot. This plan was persevered in 

 every morning as long as a bug could be found, and was 

 attended with such success, that they have given me very little 

 trouble since. I also tried ploughing my vineyards just before 



