AND WINE MAKING. 109 



Girdling, to hasten the ripening of grapes for market, 

 was commenced in the neighborhood of Highland about 

 thirteen years ago. The operation consists in removing 

 a ring of bark nearly an inch broad from the arm or 

 branch of the last year's wood. The practice has continued 

 since^ and been adopted by many persons. Great dis- 

 cretion and care are requisite to make the operation a 

 success. The quality of some varieties is ruined by it. 

 Heavily loaded vines, if girdled, never ripen their fruit. 

 Feeble growing vines are seriously injured by the opera- 

 tion. Grapes of delicate flavor seem to suffer most in 

 loss of quality when the vine is operated on. When 

 judiciously done it has doubtless increased the ' net re- 

 turns of the grower. But it is not probable or desirable 

 that the practice should be universally adopted. 



WINE MAKING. 



The price realized for table grapes until recently kept 

 the best quality out of the wine makers' hands, except 

 in limited quantities. 



The cause of viticulture has been materially favored 

 by the labors of the late A. J. Caywood of Marlboro, 

 Dr. W. A. M. Culbert of Newburg, . and James H. 

 Eicketts, formerly of Newburg and now of Washington, 

 D. C. In this region especially has their influence been 

 felt, while the valuable varieties originated by them are 

 known all over the United States. 



