6S ON THE CULTURE 



the juices of the plant, and is the means of enabling 

 the next fhoot (the rudiment of which was apparent 

 when the leading fhoot was flopped) to pufh vigor- 

 oufiy, and the fruit thereby alfo receives benefit. 



When the plants are come into bearing, if the vines 

 are fufFered to make two joints before they are flopped, 

 at the firfl: of thefe joints, as I before faid, will be 

 feen fhowing fruit, a tendril, and the rudiment of a 

 fhoot ; but at the fecond joint there is feldom to be 

 feen either fhowing fruit or the rudiment of a fhoot, 

 but only a tendril and the rudiments of male blofToms. 

 It is therefore evident, and but reafonable, that 

 the fhoot fhould be flopped at the firfl of thefe joints ; 

 for were the fhoot to be let run pafl the firfl joint, and 

 flopped before the fecond, perhaps no fhoot would 

 ever fpring forth at the faid fecond joint, but only a 

 duller of male blofToms or leaves, which would ferve 

 for no good purpofe, but would rather exhaufl the 

 juices of the plant, which ought to be thrown into 

 the productive parts of it. 



If the plants are fufFered to bear too many fruit, that 

 will weaken them, and in fuch cafe fome of the fhoots 

 will lofe their leaders, that is, the rudiment of fome 

 of the fhoots will not break forth, the numbers of fruit 

 having deprived them of their proper fhare of the ve- 

 getative juices. The rudiments of fome of the fhoots 

 may alfo be injured by accident, which fometimes 

 prevents their pufliing ; but from whatever caufe 

 this happens, it matters not ; for by the lofing of its 

 leader the fhoot is rendered unfruitful, and therefore 

 fhould be cut entirely oil*. 



In 



