wivirsxtyj 



ON VINERIES. 



troughs should be allowed to go dry; but this must be 

 done gradually, especially if the weather should be rainy 

 and dull; if otherwise, a slight sprinkling in the middle 

 of the day will benefit the vines, and assist materially the 

 setting of the fruit. Make sure that the atmosphere is 

 neither too dry nor too wet. The small berries are at 

 this stage in a very tender state ; and if, by any neglect, 

 they are kept too hot and dry, they will get rusted, 

 through which the fruit will be disfigured, both before 

 and after it is ripe. When the fruit is the size of small 

 peas, it will require thinning. A discerning eye will 

 soon perceive which to cut out, and which will be 

 likely to make the larger fruit. Thin carefully, and in 

 such a manner that when the bunch is coloured, and 

 has finished its last swelling, it will not, when laid on a 

 flat surface, or on the dessert dishes, give way in the 

 shoulders and berries. This is, of course, only to be 

 acquired by practice and careful observation. With re- 

 gard to the number of bunches to be left on the vine, 

 this must depend on their size, and the health and vigour 

 of the plant. I advise any one cultivating the vine, 

 whatever the variety may be, to take the weight into 

 careful consideration. Frequent observation, from time 

 to time, will set the gardener and amateur right in 

 this respect. 



I consider a vine four or five years old, if it has been 



well grown, may be allowed to bear from fifteen to 



43 



