362 APPENDIX II. 



With a straight, pointed pair of scissors we cut from each 

 bunch — first, all the abortive berries; and secondly, those in 

 the middle of the bunch, together with some of those which, 

 although on the outside, are too much crowded. If the 

 bunches are very long, as is often the case with young and 

 vigorous vines, the point of the bunch (a, Fig. 98) must also 

 be removed, since the berries which it bears would be slow 

 in ripening. The result of this thinning is, that, other things 

 being equal, the grapes are ripe fifteen days earlier, the berries 

 are a third larger, and those intended to be kept through the 

 winter will keep better. 



The thinning practised at Thomery is performed by women, 

 and is applied to at least half the harvest — that is to say, 500,000 

 kilogrammes of chasselas. 



Gatheeing the Leaves. — At the time when the thinning 

 takes place should also be applied the first e'pampremeiit^ or 

 picking oft' the leaves. At first only the leaves turned toward 

 tlie wall and those more or less broken or distorted are removed. 

 When the berries begin to look transparent, a second epampre- 

 ment takes place. A few leaves on the front of the vine are 

 then removed in situations where the foliage is thick ; but the 

 leaves which shelter the branches, the para&oU^ are preserved 

 with care. Finally, when the berries are entirely cleared, and 

 begin to ' turn yellow, the leaves which shadow them are 

 removed. If they are exposed earlier the berries will harden 

 and cease to increase in size. The bunches thus uncovered are 

 exposed alternately to the dew and the sun, by the action of 

 which they acquire that beautiful pale yellowish brown which 

 distinguishes the chasselas of Thomery. 



Black grapes require particular care in this respect. The first 

 removal of the leaves should not take place till the grapes are 

 completely colored. 



These successive strippings of the leaves from the vine result 

 in progressively arresting the annual growth of the vine, a long 

 time before it would otherwise cease. The fruit, therefore, 

 sooner begins to mature, and wiD be completely r|pe by the first 

 cold weather. 



