CULTURE OF THE VINE. 



25 



a crowded state. The operation of thinning is not so formidable 

 as it may at first appear. A very little practice will ensure com- 

 plete success, particularly to those who take an interest in the 

 well- doing of the crop : in warm and favourable situations, fruit 

 little short in size and flavour to those grown under glass can thus 

 be obtained. The chief enemies to be feared are the birds and 

 wasps. Care, therefore, must be taken to guard against their 

 ravages, by using netting, and also glass wasp-traps, which are 

 very cheap, and require nothing but a little beer or sugared 

 water. The same method may be successfully followed as I have 

 recommended in the vineries, in cutting the grapes with a portion 

 of the wood, and sealing the end with wax. 



The operation of pruning may be performed at any time after 

 the fruit is cleared oflP, and the wood well ripened and leafless ; 

 but it is not so well to defer it beyond the latter end of January, 

 for this reason, that the wound made with the knife becomes well 

 healed, and prevents bleeding in the spring ; whereas, if left be- 

 yond that time, the vine is very often much weakened from the 

 loss of sap, hence puny wood, yellow foliage, and an indifferent 

 crop. In pruning, cut each shoot back to two eyes from the 

 main stem, one of which only is to be left to produce fruit. The 

 object in leaving two is to guard against accident, in case of one 

 being injured previously to their budding forth. 



The same system is to be pursued from year to year. The 

 main stem will, of course, increase in size ; but it will be many 

 years before the spurs or side branches assume an unsightly 

 appearance, or occupy much space, provided the " spur system''^ 

 of pruning is carefully carried out : at the same time an excellent 

 crop of fruit may be thus secured every season. 



