LATE -KEEPING GRAPES. 



235 



results in bad bunches, but also in irregular and deformed berries. 

 The admission of plenty of dry warm air, a buoyant atmosphere 

 in the vinery, and due regard to the maintenance of an even 

 temperature, will assist greatly at this critical time. 



Thinning.— Thinning late Grapes as soon as the setting is 

 finished and the swelling commences, as soon as it can be seen 

 which are secure and which are not, is also one of the very 

 important matters connected with the subject, and one in which 

 mistakes are frequently committed, and such as have serious after- 

 results. Sufficient attention is seldom paid to the fact that 

 several of the late black Grapes which are extensively grown 

 set many more of their berries than do those grown for early 

 crops. We have notable examples of this in Alicante and Lady 

 JDowne's, than which (other cultural conditions being correctly 

 provided) few Grapes need more careful thinning, for nearly every 

 flower " sets," and if the young berries are not promptly thinned 

 the operation becomes more difficult, and the bunches are crowded 

 from the first. While it is necessary to have a compact bunch, 

 the specimens so frequently seen, with the berries jammed against 

 each other until they lose their natural shape, must be strongly 

 condemned. There are other evils attendant on insufficient thin- 

 ning besides that just mentioned, for if moisture condenses upon, 

 or finds its way into, such a crammed bunch, it is more likely to 

 do damage than where its escape is not so prevented. The large 

 size to which the berries of Gros Colmar attain renders liberal 

 thinning of still more importance with this variety than any 

 other, and only experience and close observation can teach the 

 distance to ensure a firm but not crowded bunch. The removal 

 of bunches where the crop is a heavy one, the vines weak, or the 

 difficulties in the way of colouring numerous is a prudent course, 

 for overcropping has a direct tendency to affect the prospect of 

 good colouring in an unsatisfactory manner. This is not felt so 

 much in the case of the vigorous young vines grown by the majority 

 of cultivators for market, and it is quite astonishing what heavy 

 weights per vine are safely obtained. But when older or weaker 

 vines have to be dealt with, and in private gardens where replant- 

 ing a vinery is regarded as a serious business to be seldom under- 

 taken, and only in extreme necessity, the regulation of the crop by 

 removing superfluous bunches demands the attention of all who 

 desire success with late Grapes. 



