CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 



447 



When, however, the Vines come into flower a drier atmosphere is 

 required, so that the pollen from the stamens of the flowers may be 

 easily dispersed. If the pollen becomes damp through too much 

 moisture in the vinery, it is naturally not so easily dispersed as when 

 perfectly dry, and in this case imperfect fertilisation would ensue, or, as 

 it is popularly expressed, the Grapes fail to " set " well. The necessity 

 for a drier atmosphere and 

 more air is therefore easily ap- 

 parent. It is an excellent plan 

 to gently (shake the Vines 

 every day when they are in 

 flower. In the course of a few 

 days if fertilisation be effected 

 (and most varieties of Grapes 

 set easily if the above con- 

 ditions are afforded) the berries 

 begin to increase in size 

 quickly. When this is notice- 

 able keep the house warm and 

 moist again to assist the 

 Grapes to swell as rapidly as 

 possible. 



When the berries have be- 

 come almost as large as peas 

 remove a great many of them 

 (" thinning " is the technical 

 term for this work) so as to 

 allow the remaining ones 

 sufficient space for develop- 

 ment. A pair of Grape scissors, 

 with long tapering points, and 

 a small forked stick, about 9 

 inches long, are required. In 

 thinning, hold the stem of the 

 bunch by means of the forked 

 stick with the left hand, and 

 cut away the superfluous berries 



FIG. 44. An unthinned bunch of Grapes. 



with the scissors in the right 

 hand. Commence at the bot- 

 tom of the bunch, and remove 



first the small seedless berries, then most of those inside, and finally the 

 necessary number of the remaining ones. It is impossible to say how 

 many berries should be removed, but taking, for example, the well- 

 known variety, Black Hamburgh, in a properly thinned bunch about 

 half the berries will have been cut away. These, when finally thinned, 

 should be about half an inch apart. Keep in view the shape of the 

 bunch, and endeavour to equally regulate the distance between the 

 berries. Always leave a good number upon the uppermost shoulders, 



