CULTURE OF THE VINE. 25 



left in a crowded state. The operation of thinning is not so 

 formidable as it may at first appear. A very little practice 

 will ensure complete success, particularly to those who take 

 an interest in the well-doing of the crop : in warm and 

 favourable situations, fruit little short in size and flavour to 

 those grown under glass can thus be obtained. The chief 

 enemies to be feared are the birds and wasps. Care, therefore, 

 must be taken to guard against their ravages, by using netting, 

 and also glass wasp-traps, which are very cheap, and require 

 nothing but a little beer or sugared water. The same method 

 may be successfully followed as I have recommended in the 

 vineries, in cutting the grapes with a portion of the wood, 

 and sealing the end with wax. 



The operation of pruning may be performed at any time 

 after the fruit is cleared off, and the wood well ripened and 

 leafless ; but it is not so well to defer it beyond the latter end of 

 January, for this reason, that the wound made with the knife 

 becomes well healed, and prevents bleeding in the spring ; 

 whereas, if left beyond that time, the vine is very often much 

 weakened from the loss of sap, hence puny wood, yellow foliage, 

 and an indifferent crop. In pruning, cut each shoot back to 

 two eyes from the main stem, one of which only is to be left 

 to produce fruit. The object in leaving two is to guard 

 against accident, in case of one being injured previously to 

 their budding forth. 



The same system is to be pursued from year to year. The 

 main stem will, of course, increase in size; but it will be 

 many years before the spurs or side branches assume an 

 unsightly appearance, or occupy much space, provided the 

 "spur system" of pruning is carefully carried out: at the 

 same time an excellent crop of fruit may be thus secured 

 every season. 



