122 WEEKLY CALENDARIAL REGISTER. 



bunch remains, and the sUghtest chance appears of a 

 possibiUty of getUng at it. 



As soon as any shoots are divested of their fruit, 

 they should be pruned immediately. 



11th. Fall of the leaf. This interesting event 

 takes place in general about this time. In well shel- 

 tered situations, some vines will retain their foliage to 

 the end of this month, but in aspects that are exposed 

 to the effects of the wind, the leaves are generally 

 shed in the early part of it. 



After the grapes have been deprived of the protec- 

 tion of the leaves, they begin to lose both weight and 

 flavor ; but if the aspect be favorable, and the wall 

 have a projecting coping, they may be preserved in 

 pretty good condition a fortnight or three weeks 

 longer, after which, however, no reliance can be 

 placed on the continuance of their flavor, although, in 

 some instances, when the weather is very favorable, 

 and great care is used in keeping the grapes dry, and 

 in protecting them by proper coverings from the 

 effects of severe frosts, they may be kept on the vine 

 in tolerable preservation till the beginning of Jan- 

 uary. 



Many methods have been devised to preserve 

 grapes after they have been cut from the vine, but 

 none that I am aware of, have ever proved very ef- 

 fectual. The best of these, however, will be found, 

 I believe, to be that of cutting off" an entire branch of 

 the vine with the fruit upon it, and sealing the cut 

 end with sealing-wax, and then hanging it up in a 

 dry and warm room, in which there is a pretty free 

 circulation of air. The greater quantity of wood that 

 the branch contains behind the last bunch of fruit, the 

 longer will the latter keep ; but it may be remarked, 

 that, with every precaution that can be taken, the fruit 

 may in general be preserved much better by letting it 

 remain on the vine, and protecting it by proper means 

 from the severity of the weather. 



