110 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



to 70° ; by day, when cloudy, 70° to 75° ; by sunshine, 80° 

 to 90° ; as much air admitted as could be, with safety, al- 

 lowed ; began to thin some bunches on three vines ; ten vines 

 were in blossom on the front, and four on the back of the 

 house. 



March 10th. — More than half the vines were in blossom, 

 and the grapes thimied on eight vines ; the laterals on the 

 spurs were cut back to one eye, and this check was repeated 

 as they required it. 



March IStli. — Temperature the same as from the first of 

 the month ; have been thinning the grapes the past fortnight ; 

 they are now finished, for the first time, and the earhest vines 

 have been thinned two or three times.* 



April 1st. — Temperature the same as in March ; from day 

 to day have been examining and thinning the berries, when it 

 was found necessary. 



April 10th. — The first grapes began to color, near the fur- 

 nace, this day. Temperature as above. 



April 20th.— The Zinfindal, Early Black July, and Grizzly 

 Frontignan coloring ; the Pitmaston White Cluster nearly 

 ripe, and the Chasselas Bar Sur Aube changing color. 



May 1st. — The temperature, at night, 70° ; by day, if 

 cloudy, 75° to 80° ; by sunshine, 85° to 95°, with air freely 

 admitted. The first Black Hamburgh grapes begin to color ; 

 the pans of water were removed from the furnace and from 

 the flue, where the grapes have colored, or are nearly ripe ; 

 the bunches were examined, and all defective berries cut out ; 

 all thinning, for the season, was now finished. 



May 10th. — The grapes were ripe on the first five vines ; 

 part of the fruit, from Chasselas Bar Sur Aube, Zinfindal, 

 Early Black July, Pitmaston White Cluster, and Grizzly 

 Frontignan, has been gathered ; more of the pans of water 

 were removed from the flue. 



jNIay 20th. — Cut Black Hamburgh grapes fully ripe ; the 



* The shoulders of very large bunches (the Syrian) alvvaj's require to be spread 

 out and supported by strings, to permit a free circulation of air. 



