12 A TREATISE ON THE 



circulation of air, so essential to the grape in all stages, is 

 considerably lessened from the superabundance of foliage 

 intercepting to a great extent both light and air. Another 

 advantage also arises from the spur system. The double 

 demand made upon the vine, by bearing its fruit for the present 

 season and feeding young rods for the following, at one and 

 the same time, greatly accelerates its exhaustion and decay, 

 both of which are obviated by the plan I venture to recommend. 



Having thus digressed, I will now proceed with directions 

 for carrying out the present crop to perfection. When the 

 young shoots are sufficiently advanced, stop each, leaving one 

 joint, or eye, above the fruit, and one bunch to each branch. 

 When the bunches are in flower, keep the house somewhat 

 closer, with a humid atmosphere, giving air, of course, if the 

 temperature ranges higher than seventy-six degrees. Much 

 is gained by very early thinning : it is desirable to commence 

 almost as soon as the berries are set. By so doing, you 

 prevent the bunches from becoming crowded, and thus avoid 

 doing injury to the remaining berries, by a touch either from 

 the fingers or scissors, as it is most desirable, even at this 

 early stage, to preserve the bloom entire, and plenty of space 

 must be allowed between each berry, so as to give room for 

 expansion. Clip out all the smallest and inside berries ; but 

 much must be left to the discretion of the grower as regards 

 the extent of thinning, as it would be difficult to give any 

 specified rule to act upon. 



Great vigilance must be observed in removing the lateral 

 shoots as they appear, in order to throw all the strength of 

 the vine into the growing fruit, and also to prevent the over- 

 crowding and darkening of the house ; due care must be taken 

 in admitting air freely, giving a little as early in the morning 

 as is consistent with safety ; attending strictly to the clean- 

 liness of the house, always keeping it in a pure and healthy 

 state ; and, if so done, little danger may be apprehended from 

 the injurious effects of red spider ; but if, from hard forcing, 



