MANAGEMENT FOB THE SECOND YEAR. 71 



All is now to be considered in full action, the grapes 

 about the size of peas, and swelling fast, when it becomes 

 necessary to commence thinning out the superfluous 

 berries. First, tie out the side branches, in a horizontal 

 position to the wires, if not already done ; then fasten a 

 string to the end of each shoulder, and sling it up, at right 

 angle with the stalk, to the wires also ; the smaller clus- 

 ters may now be opened out by inserting small strips of 

 wood, notched on the two ends, under them, and supported 

 upon the projecting stalks below. This will open out the 

 bunch, and prevent the weight of each cluster from bear- 

 ing upon the lower berries. Next, proceed to cut out a 

 part of the berries, commencing at the bottom, and leaving 

 those for ripening far enough apart to allow the aggregate 

 to swell up, without squeezing each other individually 

 when fully grown. Some care is required in this operation, 

 and also a little idea, for the object is to leave to each 

 berry sufficient space to allow for full development, and 

 yet not so far apart as to make the bunch loose and 

 straggling. No exact rule can be given as to distance 

 required, but generally, one half to two thirds ought to be 

 cut away ; the larger berried kinds will need more thin- 

 ning than the smaller, there is also a great difference in 

 the setting, but a reference to the descriptive list hereafter 

 given will be a guide ; the latest sorts too, and those in- 

 tended to hang longest, should be more distant than the 

 others; for, when a little assunder from each other, the 

 grapes keep much longer than when they are crowded. 

 An experienced hand can tell pretty accurately how to 

 thin, so as to make once going over nearly suffice, but for 

 beginners, it is perhaps better to perform the operation at 

 two or three times as they swell up. After the first year's 

 practice the right idea is gained, and there is no difficulty 

 afterwards. When thinning, do not handle the berries, 



