64 AMERICAN GRAPE CULTURE. 



leaf lias reached about the diameter of an inch, 

 when it must be athallized precisely as before. 

 If the vine is growing strongly, it may be ne- 

 cessary to repeat the operation a third time, 

 after which the thallons may be allowed to take 

 care of themselves. We have spoken of one 

 thallon ; but there will be one at the base of 

 nearly every leaf, and all must be treated alike. 

 This is clearly shown on the vine in Fig. 21, 

 where the first thallon has been athallized 

 three times, and the others twice, with the ex- 

 ception of one on the left, about half-way up. 

 We have said above that the vital force is di- 

 rected in part to the little leaf and the bud at 

 its base ; the rest goes to increase the size of 

 the cane and its proper leaves, as well as the 

 buds at their base. The whole vine has thus 

 been benefited, both above and below ground. 

 The young vine, treated as above, is allowed 

 to grow till about the beginning of September, 

 when the extreme end of the growing cane is 

 to be pinched out. This will materially help 

 in ripening the upper portion of the cane and 

 buds, especially if the operation is repeated at 

 the end of two or three weeks. On the vine in 

 Fig. 21 this has been done twice, as may be 

 seen at A and B. With the exception of tying 



