CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 



449 



begin to change colour. At first they are tinged with light red, become 



reddish-black, and finally black. As soon as signs of colouring are 



noticed, sprinkle a little water about the house, and give more air. 



After several days when the 



change in colour becomes general, \ 



increase the amount of air, and * 



also leave the ventilators slightly 



open at night. Discontinue to 



moisten the walls, paths, &c. In 



a few weeks' time the vinery may 



be thrown quite open during the 



day, and partially so at night, 



until the fruit is cut. Then keep 



it quite cool. Do not diminish 



the fire heat at all until the 



Grapes are well coloured, and 



even when they are ripe, a little 



heat should still be maintained 



so as to avoid damp upon the 



bunches. 



Pruning. This is an import- 

 ant operation in the culture of 

 the Vine. The system in almost 

 universal practice in this country, 

 and undoubtedly the best and 

 most convenient, is that known 



as spur pruning. Let us take as an illustration a young Vine that has 

 made three seasons' growth, the one we have hitherto considered. At the 

 end of the first season after being planted, it will be remembered that 



FIG. 46. Vine. Winter pruning. 

 Dotted lines = where to cut back to. 



FIG. 47. Showing where to stop primary shoot of Vine. 

 Two or three leaves beyond the bunch. Dotted lines denote where to cut. 



the Vine rod was cut back to two eyes, the next year left 4 feet long, 

 and the following spring horizontal shoots were allowed to develop 

 from the higher portion of this, and the leader was trained up the 



2 F 



