OF THE VINE. 



101 



be left to the length of twenty-one or twenty-two 

 feet each, with intent to produce a full crop of fruit 

 the following season. 



The management of the Vines the next summer 

 will, in many instances, be nearly the same as in 

 the preceding one. Only let it be considered, 

 that as the Vines have increased in strength and 

 size, they will, consequently, be enabled to produce 

 and support a larger burden of fruit. 

 " The crop should at all times be proportioned to 

 the size and vigour of the tree, and that in every 

 stage ; but especially while the Vines are young, 

 it will be advisable to use great moderation as to 

 the number of bunches which are to be allowed to 

 go on to maturity. 



The shoots may now be laid rather closer toge- 

 ther than in the preceding season, and two bunches 

 may be permitted to remain upon such shoots as 

 are strong and vigorous ; and especially of those 

 kinds that do not produce large bunches. It will 

 be proper, however, that the berries of the bunches, 

 in general, should be well thinned." This work 

 is best performed at the time when the berries are 

 about the size of small shot. Great address is re- 

 quired in the performance of this operation ; and 



u In order to thin grapes with propriety, a proper pair of 

 scissors should be provided. The blades should be made with 

 exceeding sharp points, and not more than one inch and a half 

 long. The shanks about four inches long, and quite straight ; 

 the eyes sufficiently large to contain a man's thumb and two 

 fingers. 



H 3 



