244 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



for the very best samples, but we all know that such first grade fruit is a 

 small proportion of the great bulk sent to market." 



Packing Grapes for Market. — This is an important matter, for grapes 

 usually have to travel some considerable distance before reaching market, and it 

 is very essential they should arrive in the best of condition. The bunches are 

 usually cut with a portion of the shoot attached ; this may be left about 4 inches 

 long. Various kinds of baskets are used, but those in general favour are known 

 as " baby " baskets. As a packing material, wood shavings, or " wood wool," 

 as it is sometimes called, is used. A little of this is placed in the baskets, and 

 then covered with white or pink tissue paper. The finest bunches are laid 

 around the sides of the baskets, and the stems are made secure to the basket 

 rims. They rriust be close together so that they do not move. Twelve pounds 

 of grapes is an average weight for a basket, some are more, some less ; but the 

 exact weight is given with the basket before the fruit is sent to market. When 

 the baskets are packed they are placed in flat hampers specially made to receive 

 them. They are of such a size that the " baby " baskets just fit inta them, 

 thus preventing any possibility of movement. The illustrations given of the 

 baby basket packed, and also placed in the hamper ready for travelling to 

 market, will give a good idea of the method employed. Some of our best 

 grapes now go to America, and find a good market there. A few years ago a 

 brisk trade was also commenced with France, but the heavy duties imposed have 

 practically closed that market to English grapes. 



Fertilisation. — The flowering of the vine is easily detected by the 

 delicious scent given off as soon as the cap which covers the stamens of 

 the flower falls. Usually fertilisation will take place withoilt artificial aid.. 

 While the vine is in flower the atmosphere of the house should be kept dry and 

 warm. In the course of a week after the first flowers appear, all the vines will 

 be in bloom, and in another week the berries will have formed and be ready 

 for thinning. It is a good plan to shake the trellis once or twice about noon 

 to distribute the pollen and make sure of its coming in contact with the 

 stigmas, thereby securing proper fertilisation. With some few varieties of 

 grapes perfect fertilisation of the flowers cannot be effected without artificial 

 help. The Muscats are instances. Muscat Hamburgh is the most shy 

 "setter." Canon Hall also "sets" badly. To help such varieties to "set," 

 draw the hands over the flowers, thereby removing the capsules and liberating 

 the pollen. Also collect some pollen as it falls in a piece of paper, and throw 

 it back with some force against the bunch. Should Black Hamburgh or some- 

 other free "setting" variety be in flower at the same time, better results will 

 follow by using its pollen on Muscats. 



Grape Thinning. — The first thing to do after obtaining a good "set" is 

 to reduce the number of bunches to as many as the vine may carry, of course 

 selecting those likely to be the most symmetrical. Thinning the berries must 

 then be commenced. At the first thinning the berries of all varieties may be 

 thinned to half an inch apart. At the second thinning discretion must be exer- 

 cised and the particular variety considered. Before the worker puts scissors to 

 bunch at all he must learn to differentiate between the fertilised and the un~ 



