On thinning the Berries on Bunches of Grapes. 305 



Art. VII. On the Necessity of thinning the Berries on Bunches of 

 Grapes as soon as the Fruit is set. By John Fyffe, Gardener at 

 Milton Bryant, Woburn. 



The principal object, in the cultivation of the vine, is to have 

 large bunches and large berries ; and it is well known that both 

 these depend on proper thinning : but the fruit is often allowed 

 to stand too long before this operation is performed. When 

 this is the case, the effect produced by the thinning is much less 

 certain ; as, by allowing what you cut out to swell, you deprive 

 what remains of much strength from the vine. I would there- 

 fore recommend the following treatment, which I have practised 

 with beneficial effect : — As soon as the berries are set, I go 

 over the bunches, and cut out all the smallest berries, leaving 

 the bunch regular, but so bare, that, at first sight, one would be 

 apt to think the fruit was entirely destroyed. In a few days, 

 however, the bunches appear quite different, as the berries 

 which are allowed to remain swell much faster when thus 

 treated, than if they had been allowed to remain till the usual 

 time of thinninjT. When the largest berries are about the size 

 of a large garden pea, I go over thvem again, tying up the 

 shoulders, and leaving the berries all clear of each other, so as 

 to allow a free circulation of air through the bunch. I also 

 never allow more than two bunches on each spur; or, if the 

 vines are trained by a succession of wood, not more than six on 

 each bearing leader. By this treatment, and paying proper 

 attention to the usual routine culture, I will venture to say 

 that there are few situations in which vines may not be made to 

 produce large grapes, if the borders be well made, and in good 

 condition. The vines will be greatly benefited by being regularly 

 watered with the drainings from the frames twice a week, when start- 

 ing, and during the swelling of the fruit ; and due care should be 

 taken to have the borders covered with oood rotten dunfj durina* 

 the winter, never planting them with regular crops of vegetables, 

 as is sometimes done ; not only because you cannot dig the 

 borders without injuring the roots of the vines, but because 

 vegetables of any kind will exhaust the soil, and rob the vines of 

 that nourishment which they require to enable them to swell off 

 their fruit in perfection. I would therefore suggest, that the 

 borders, in the summer, when the rough of the manure is either 

 taken off, or very slightly pointed in, be neatly raked, and laid 

 out into small beds for salads, such as mustard and cress, which 

 can do no injury to the vines. 



Milton Bryant, April 22. 1837. 

 Vol. XIII. — No. 88. x 



