OF THE VINE, 



93 



divested of all but one bunch on each, which should 

 be the bunch which is best proportioned and most 

 regularly formed. The shoots should be left at 

 regular distances, that is, about four or five feet 

 apart on each side: observe, also, to let one shoot 

 as near the bottom as it can be got. These shoots 

 should be trained regularly on each side of the 

 rafter, and the top of each shoot should be pinched 

 off as soon as it is grown to a sufficient length, 

 and begin to interfere with the adjoining shoots 

 above ; or, in general, let the shoots be stopped at 

 the second or third joint above the bunch. 



Great attention will be required during the time 

 the Vines are in flower. Should the weather prove 

 hot and dry, and accompanied with brisk winds at 

 that critical period, the berries of many kinds of 

 grapes (particularly the blue Frontinac, white 

 Sweetwater, and black Damascus) will be liable to 

 fall off at the time of their setting, and the berries 

 that remain will, in general, be very small, and 

 without stones. This proceeds from the calyx 

 adhering to, and drying upon, the germen or rudi- 

 ment of the berry, and thereby preventing its im- 

 pregnation. Therefore, in order to have the crop 

 set permanent, it will be proper at this period to 

 water the roots of the vine plentifully, to keep the 

 house as close as the weather will permit, and to 

 water the walks and flues in the hot-house con- 

 stantly, and especially late in the evening, when 

 the glasses should be immediately closed. The 

 heat of the hot-house will exhale the moisture, 



