BRIGHT ON GRAPE CULTURE. 37 



every time, till the fruit takes its second swelling after 

 forming stones (during the stoning process, the berries 

 swell but little, say for four or five weeks,) then allow 

 the foliage to grow without further check. 



By this process the leaves will grow very large, the 

 fruit will be well shaded, and a good crop of large 

 bunches of well colored and well "ripened fruit will ordi- 

 narily be produced. 



During the stoning of the fruit, if convenient, water 

 the vines liberally, and apply liquid manure, or during 

 a shower, special grape fertilizers. Afterwards keep 

 the grape borders dry. 



After the crop of fruit is gathered, and the leaves 

 have fallen, the fruiting canes will be cut down, leaving 

 two eyes on the new wood. 



The vine should be allowed to bear only a specimen 

 of fruit the second year after planting. The third year 

 a fair crop may be taken, say one bunch on each shoot. 

 When the vine is fully established, say the fourth or 

 fifth year, about six pounds of fruit may be taken from 

 four feet of cane, or twelve bunches. More bunches 

 may be obtained from this length of cane, but the fruit 

 will not be so fine. 



After some years, by this process, the stem of the old 

 cane will become too long to be fruited with advantage, 

 and the roots will have penetrated too deeply into the 

 soil to be further worked with success. The top of the 

 vine may then be layered, and a fresh plant, of a vigor- 

 ous character will be speedily produced, to take the 



