174 FRUIT. 



We have explained briefly the principal operations and 

 matters of importance to be observed in the cultivation of the 

 vine during the first three years of its growth, and refer the 

 inquirer after fuller details to Mr. A. P. Barron's " Vines and 

 Vine Culture," the best treatise extant on the subject. 



A few hints on preparing the grapes for exhibition may be 

 useful to the beginner. The first thing to determine is the 

 stand on which the grapes are to be exhibited, and Horticul- 

 tural Societies should insist on these being of a uniform slope 

 and dimensions. The irregularity and untidy appearance of 

 so many different forms and sizes as are frequently seen at 

 exhibitions detracts greatly from the pleasing effect of the 

 display, and even a good bunch set on a badly constructed 

 stand is shown at a great disadvantage. A convenient size, 

 with a slope to show off the fruit effectively, should be 

 adopted at all exhibitions. The following are good average 

 dimensions : — Height at back of sloping board, 12 inches ; 

 breadth of slope, 16 inches ; and length of stand 9 inches 

 for each bunch it has to carry, but the length may vary 

 according to the size of the bunches. The back or upright 

 board should lise 2-1- inches above the junction with the 

 sloping board, making it 14^- inches high. The ends should 

 be filled in with brackets to keep the whole firm. The top 

 of ,the stand should be covered with plain white paper neatly 

 pasted down, but with no ribbons or brass nails used in the 

 way of adornment, which are out of place and unnecessary. 



The bunches should be cut with a piece of the shoot attached, 

 and great care must be exercised in handling them, so as 

 to pi-eserve the bloom without the slightest rub or injury. 

 Examine the bunch closely, and place the best side upper- 

 most, fastening it securely at the top, and also near the bottom 

 with narrow tape carefully passed between the berries and 

 through two small holes in the board, to be firmly tied behind. 

 Neat handling by the operator is necessary to avoid rubbing 

 the berries, and to have the bunch held perfectly firm and 

 secure on the board, so that it cannot roll in the least during 

 the joggling of a long journey by road or rail. After the 

 bunches are securely fixed on the stands they should be placed 



