THE GRAPE - 129 



get their fruit into the local markets before the main 

 suppl}^ from the large grape growing sections gluts them 

 and the prices are too low for profit. The work of 

 girdling is done with a common pocket knife, or some 

 implement made for this purpose, as shown in Figure 69. 

 The best time for this work is when the berries 

 are about one-third to one-half grown. The width of the 

 ring varies from one-quarter to one inch, according to the 

 size of the canes, the smaller the cane the narrower 

 the ring. In girdling, care must be taken not to 

 make the cut on the hend of the vine, as in that case 

 it is very liable to be broken by the weight of the fruit 

 or by high winds. 



