THE GRAPE 217 
33% per cent. of the blossoms will mature. In 
this first thinning, leave double this quantity; for 
instance, if the crop is estimated at ten bunches, 
leave twenty at this time. The other ten can 
be removed later, five of the poorest after the 
flowering period, and five more after the stoning 
period. 
As the shoots grow upright it becomes necessary 
to tie them down. The beginner often makes 
the mistake of pulling them down too much at 
one time, causing them to break at the spur. 
The proper method is merely to bend down the 
tips, using raffia or some soft tying material, 
so that they do not hit the glass. They can then 
be pulled down gradually, until, when the grapes 
are thinned, the shoots are in the correct horizon- 
tal position. 
When the grapes are in flower, a somewhat 
lower temperature and drier air are desirable. 
Keep the house at 60° at night and withhold all 
water, except when growing late-forcing and 
free-setting varieties like the Black Hamburg, 
in which case the walks and borders can besprayed 
twice in the daytime. Most varieties require a 
good, dry air at this period of the fertilization 
of the flowers. Ordinarily, a gentle tap on the 
cane will make the pollen fly, and alight on the 
