292 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



Encourage the Vine to grow freely by keeping the house warm and 

 moist, and giving the same temperatures as previously mentioned. 

 When, however, the Vines come into flower a drier atmosphere is 

 required, so that the pollen from the stamens of the flowers may be 

 easily dispersed. If the pollen becomes damp through too much moisture 

 in the vinery, it is naturally not so easily dispersed as when perfectly 

 dry, and in this case imperfect fertilisation would ensue, or, as it is 

 popularly expressed, the Grapes fail to " set " well. The necessity for 

 a drier atmosphere and more air is therefore easily apparent. It is an 

 excellent plan to gently shake the Vines every day when they are in 

 flower. In the course of a few days if fertilisation be effected (and 

 most varieties of Grapes set easily if the above conditions are afforded) 



LAST STAGE IN TYING DOWN VINE SHOOT 



the berries begin to increase in size quickly. When this is noticeable 

 keep the house warm and moist again to assist the Grapes to swell as 

 rapidly as possible. 



When the berries have become almost as large as peas remove a 

 great many of them ("thinning" is the technical term for this work) 

 so as to allow the remaining ones sufficient space for development. 

 A pair of Grape scissors, with long tapering points, and a small forked 

 stick, about nine inches long, are required. In thinning, hold the stem 

 of the bunch by means of the forked stick with the left hand, and cut 

 away the superfluous berries with the scissors in the right hand. Com- 

 mence at the bottom of the bunch, and remove first the small seedless 

 berries, then most of those inside, and finally the necessary number of 

 the|remaining ones. It is impossible to say how many berries should 



