Grapes from May to New Years 217 



Thinning the branches is a tedious operation. 

 This work requires some judgment and a certain 

 amount of practice to make headway. The 

 bunches must not be touched with the fingers : a 

 small stick in one hand and scissors in the other 

 is the correct method. Usually the beginner 

 will fail to cut out enough berries at one thin- 

 ning. The aim is to allow enough room for the 

 berries to develop to their full size but when ripe 

 to have a solid bunch, and this can be achieved 

 only by practice. 



There are quite a variety of hot-house Grapes 

 to select from, but it is a mistake to plant too 

 many varieties in one house. Black Hamburg, 

 Foster's Seedling, and Buckland Sweetwater are 

 satisfactory for early forcing. Muscat of Alex- 

 andria can be grown in a mixed house, but to 

 give this finest of all Grapes justice, it should 

 have a house to itself, as it requires a longer sea- 

 son and a little more heat to bring it up to per- 

 fection. All Grapes when in bloom require a 

 fairl}^ dry, bracing atmosphere. Gentty tapping 

 the vines or flower clusters at mid-day when in 

 bloom is all that is necessary to ensure a set of 

 fruit. Such varieties as Gros Colmar, Gros 

 Maroc, Lady Hutt, and Barbarossa are recom- 

 mended for the late house, as their late keeping 

 qualities are well known. 



