98 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



is to the north ; but for summer vineries it answers 

 admirably. 



WEIGHT OP CROP, THINNING, DISBUDDING, ETC. 



Cropping vines too heavily is a prevailing error in 

 grape-growing. Presuming that the rafter is, say, 24 ft. 

 long ; that the young vines are to bear to a third of this 

 length the first year, and that they show more than a 

 bunch to each shoot : — remove them all but one to a shoot 

 as soon as they are far enough advanced to be got hold of; 

 and after the berries are set — presuming that the bunches 

 are large, as they generally are on young vines — remove 

 all but four bunches on every rod. This will leave eight 

 bunches on a vine. Of course, the largest and most 

 shapely are generally left ; and in most cases it may 

 be presumed they will average at least 2 lb. or more. 

 This is crop sufficient for the first year in the case of 

 permanent vines. None of these bunches should be 

 left on the leading shoots, which should not be stopped 

 this year till they reach the top of the house. When 

 the vines are in full bearing, 1^ lb. of grapes to every 

 foot run of the main stem of the vine may be regarded 

 as a fair crop. 



In disbudding the side growths of young vines, due 

 regard must be had to a regular establishment of per- 

 manent fruiting points or spurs. Prom 16 to 18 inches 

 apart will be close enough ; and this will generally call 

 for the removal of two buds for every one left all along 

 the main stem. These side fruit-bearing growths should 

 be stopped two or three joints beyond the bunch that is 

 left. This, generally speaking, will give foliage sufi&cient 

 to clothe the whole roof, when the main stems are 



