IIASTEXtN-G THE MATURITY OF THE GIIAPE. 237 



wherever you please — the whole branch, if joii like — • 

 as the rung part will have to be cut away entirely 

 after the fruit is gathered. 



"The ringing is performed just the same on an old 

 whole branch as in that of the young lateral carrying 

 one or two bunches. I have repeatedly rung old 

 branches, that have been carrying from twenty to 

 thirty bunches of grapes, with the same good effect ; 

 only it has been such branches that I have intended 

 to cut away entirely the following autumn : of 

 course, thinning out the berries of the bunches, and 

 the bunches too, if excellence be aimed at, is of 

 the utmost importance. The process of thinning this 

 cannot be too early attended to. I always begin as soon 

 as the fruit is fairly set, and continue to remove all 

 inferior berries, and, with a good pair of scissors and 

 clean fingers, using my eyes to see w^hat I am about, 

 so as not to injure the berries by handling and maul- 

 ing them. 



"By thus practising ringing, I have produced for 

 the last twelve or fourteen years, grapes, out of doors, 

 that have puzzled many a tyro and others too. 



"Our indefatigable editors have botii watched my 

 progress in vine culture for years. My grapes liavo 

 many a time puzzled the late Mr. Elphinstone, wlien 

 he was gardener to the late speaker of the House of 

 Commons, now Lord Eversley, although I used to 



