CH. 5.] GRAPES. 95 



diftance of from nine to twelve inches. 

 Pinch off all tendrils and laterals as they 

 appear ; making a rule, however, of lea- 

 ving all the laterals above the lajt tie, which 

 fhould not be nearer to the extremity of 

 the fhoot than ten or twelve inches 3 as 

 that part, being fo very brittle, is apt to 

 break, fhould it meet with any obftruc- 

 tion, and at the fame time be confined too 

 near to the point: In cafe of which, it is ad- 

 vifable to leave the laterals, as above hint- 

 ed, that one of them may lead on the 

 growth, and become a fubftitute to the pro- 

 per (hoot. 



When the two fide-fiioots have arrived 

 at the height of four or five feet, they 

 fhould be flopped, in order to throw in the 

 more ftrength to the middle one, which 

 muft be encouraged, and fuffered to grow 

 without interruption the whole feafon ; not 

 only on its own account, but on that of the 

 roots, whofe progrefs always bears pace 

 with that of the branches. The uppermofi 



lateral 



in cutting out any old fterile branch : which, however, 

 ought never to be done before the flowering feafon ; as, 

 previous to that, much injury would be done by the 

 plants bleeding, which never happens afterwards. 



