i8o 



BIGGLE GARDEN BOOK 



inferior bunches and removing those that crowd 

 others. Cuhivation, too, helps to make fine fruit. 

 So do annual applications of bone meal, stable ma- 

 nure, and some form of potash. Another aid to 

 high quality, is "sacking" or "bagging" the bunches. 

 The best time to do this is when the berries are 

 quite small — not larger than small shot. Ordinary 

 two-pound paper sacks can be used. The mouth of 

 each sack should be snugly wrapped around the stem 

 of the bunch, and securely held in place by pinning 

 or tying. The tie should be tight, but, of course, 

 not too tight. The sacks protect the grapes from 

 fungous and insect enemies, including wasps, birds, 

 etc., and the bunches thus protected are finer and 

 more perfect. For grape-rot and mildew, begin 

 early and spray the vines with Bordeaux mixture at 

 intervals of about two weeks. The addition of 

 arsenate of lead to the earlier sprayings will kill any 

 insects which eat the leaves (see Chapter V). 



Other Fruits. — In regard to the dewberry, etc., 

 I must refer you to my Berry Book. There, also, 

 3^ou will find many details about small-fruit growing 

 which lack of space excludes from this chapter. 



