CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 167 



should be thus removed. Another case in which the 

 removal of leaves is justifiable occurs in the vine. In 

 this plant, the fruit is borne near the base of the lateral 

 shoots, which will, if unchecked, go on lengthening, and 

 producing leaves to a considerable distance. Now, all- 

 the food of such a lateral shoot is obtained from the main 

 branch, which, however, is only capable of furnishing a 

 certain quantity. If the lateral shoot is allowed to grow 

 unchecked, it will consume its portion of food in the pro- 

 duction of many leaves and some grapes ; and the more 

 there are of the former, the less will be the weight of the 

 latter. But if the shoot is stopped, after having formed 

 two leaves, all that quantity of food which would have 

 been consumed in the production of other leaves is ap- 

 plied to the increase of size in the grapes and the two 

 leaves that are left ; while, on the other hand, the general 

 crop of leaves on the vine will be amply sufficient to pre- 

 pare those secretions which are to give flavor, color, and 

 sweetness to the grapes. This will perhaps be better 

 explained by the annexed diagram: 



"Let the line a g represent a lateral vine-branch, 

 bearing fruit at B, and leaves at c, c7, e, /. Suppose 

 six ounces of sap are destined to support this lat- 



