% John Williams, Esq. 



log 



adopting Mr. 1 Knight's theory of the downward circula- 

 tion of the sap, the truth of which these experiments, in my 

 opinion, tend strongly to confirm. I therefore imagine by 

 cutting through the cortex and liber without wounding the 

 alburnum, that the descent of that portion of the sap which 

 has undergone preparation in the' leaf is obstructed and 

 confined in the branches situated above the incision ; conse- 

 quently the fruit is better nourished and its maturation has- 

 tened It is certainly a considerable point gained in the cul- 

 ture of the Vine, to be able to bring the fruit to perfection, 

 by a process so simple, and so easily performed. But lest 

 there should be any misconception in the foregoing state- 

 ment, I will briefly describe the exact method to be followed 

 by any person, who may be desirous of trying this mode of 

 ripening Grapes. The best time for performing that opera- 

 tion on Vines growing in the open air, is towards the end of 

 July, or beginning of August ; and it is a material point, not 

 to let the removed circle of bark be too wide : from one to 

 two eighths of an inch will be a space of sufficient width ; 

 the exposed alburnum will then be covered again with new 

 bark before the following winter, so that there will be no 

 danger of injuring the future health of the tree. 



It is not of much consequence in what part of the tree 

 the incision is made, but in case the trunk is very large, I 

 should then recommend, that the circles be made in the 

 smaller branches. 



It is to be observed that all shoots which come out from 

 the root of the Vine, or from the front of the trunk situated 

 below the incision, must be removed as often as they appear, 

 unless bearing wood is particularly wanted to till up the 



