132 WEEKLY CALENDARIAL REGISTER. 



called " the shoulders," or that part next to the foot- 

 stalk, and proceeding downwards to the extremity of 

 the bunch. And so slowly is this process carried on 

 in backward seasons, and in unfavourable aspects, that 

 there is frequently from ten to fifteen days' difference 

 in the time betwixt the ripening of the shoulders and 

 that of the extremity of the same bunch of fruit. And 

 if a vine be over-cropped to any extent, its vital ener- 

 gies will be exhausted before the process of maturation 

 is completed, in which case the extremities of ths 

 bunches never ripen, but shrivel and decay. Without, 

 therefore, venturing to give any very specific directions 

 with respect to the vintage, it may be laid down as a 

 good general rule, applicable in most cases, that after 

 the period when all the berries of a bunch of grapes 

 have first become apparently ripe, the bunch ought to 

 remain on the vine a month longer, in order, that, by 

 the continued action of the solar rays, the watery por- 

 tion of the pulp may be evaporated, and the sugary 

 portion thereby relatively increased. 



It is of great importance, also, in gathering the 

 fruit, that it be cut in dry weather, on the warmest 

 days that can be selected, and not till after the morning 

 dew has been entirely dissipated. The juice of grapes 

 is materially concerned in these respects, for, if the 

 weather be very damp and foggy for two or three days 

 in succession, or, if a heavy rain continue for twenty- 

 four hours, or longer, the water in the berries will be 

 considerably increased, and their flavour and sweet- 

 ness proportionately diminished. 



Such branches of the vine as have no fruit on them, 

 should now, without loss of time, be subjected to the 

 operation of the pruning knife. 



October 14th. In dry weather, examine the bunches 

 frequently, and carefully cut out all decayed berries. 



