GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



which must be looped to the trellis above with a piece of matting if 

 they droop down. It is necessary to look over the bunches in the 

 course of two or three weeks, for some of the berries may have been 

 left too thickly when first thinned. When four leaves have developed 

 beyond the bunch of Grapes, pinch back the shoot to within two or 

 three leaves of the bunch, according to the amount of space at disposal. 



Sometimes the bunch 

 originates nearer the 

 base of the shoot 

 than at other times, 

 thus allowing space 

 for leaves beyond. 



As the berries 

 are swelling freely, a 

 night temperature of 

 65 degrees should be 

 maintained, and little 

 fire heat is necessary 

 in early summer. In 

 a few weeks' time, it 

 will be noticed that 

 the berries have ap- 

 parently ceased to 

 swell. What is known 

 as the stoning period 

 has arrived, and for 

 about a fortnight, or 

 rather more, no 

 material difference is 

 visible in the size of 

 the berries. The 

 reason is that the 

 energies of the Vine 

 are then directed to- 

 wards the develop- 

 ment of the seeds. 

 On no account allow 

 a high temperature 

 to prevail at this 

 period, for the ber- 

 ries cannot then be forced to swell, and injury might easily result. It 

 is not difficult to discern when the stoning period is over, for the berries 

 again quickly increase in size, and continue to do so for several weeks. 

 Still close the house early in the afternoon, and moisten the walls, &c., 

 to create a warm, genial atmosphere. A considerable quantity of water 

 is now required. The border must not become dry, or a check to the 

 plant and its fruit results. Liquid manure water is beneficial at this 

 period. Before many weeks have passed, some of the bunches will 



FIG. 45. Bunch of Grapes properly thinned. 



