1 92 MY GARDEN. 



only giving such instructions as may ensure grapes from July to the 

 next spring. 



As the vines break, wood sufficient to cover the glass completely 

 is left, and the shoots are kept stopped with the finger and thumb, 

 so that every single leaf gets the full blaze of the sun and light 

 upon it : every leaf which is shaded from the light is a damage to 

 the vine. 



During the period of growth, the eye of the gardener must be 

 vigilant to perceive oi'dium ; and if he even suspect it, the pipes 

 should be dusted with the flour of sulphur, and it may even be 

 sprinkled over the vines. 



As soon as the young grapes develop themselves, the gardener 

 must immediately prevent an undue number of bunches, and in this 

 he must be guided by the size and age of the vines, remembering that 

 it is a better fault to have a few fine grapes than many which are 

 spoilt and uneatable. 



But the gardener must carry his operations one stage further : he 

 must thin each bunch, and, as a rule, two-thirds of all which are pro- 

 duced must be removed. This should be done as early as possible, 

 before the young grapes exhaust the vine. 



The moment the grapes begin to colour, a drier state of air should 

 be commenced. We empty every day or two one of our iron troughs, 

 so that by degrees we obtain a drier atmosphere, in which the grapes 

 attain the highest perfection, and obtain a condition of skin which 

 makes them keep better. When the grapes are quite ripe the gardener, 

 if he wants them for his master's use, must take care that wasps, 

 mice, and birds do not devour them before they are gathered. 



When the grapes are cut, the care of the gardener is not at an 

 end ; the leaves must be protected till the vine is thoroughly ripened, 

 and till they drop of their own accord. One year I was furious 

 because a gardener I then employed tidied up the house, as he was 

 pleased to call it, and pulled off all the leaves : this little indiscretion 

 cost me two-thirds of the next year's crop of grapes. 



As soon as the wood is ripened, the vines may be pruned. I cut 



