LATE-KEEPING GRAPES. 



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what influences principally bear upon this important point. 

 Fortunately, the majority of late Grapes colour more readily than 

 early ones (Gros Colmar being a conspicuous exception), but 

 they take more time about it, as while an average of two months 

 will " finish " Black Hamburghs from the time colouring begins, 

 quite a month longer is needed for late varieties, and if it be not 

 satisfactorily concluded by the end of September or early in 

 October, it is seldom the weather will permit of any further 

 advance. Very much will, however, depend upon the foliage, as 

 the existence of healthy leaves, well developed and matured, and 

 retained upon the vines as long as possible, will, in some cases, 

 insure improvement in late Grapes up to the middle of 

 November, or even later as regards Muscat of Alexandria. But 

 it must be borne in mind that there is a considerable difference 

 in the foliage of late varieties, both as to texture, size, quantity, 

 and durability. What must be especially avoided is allowing 

 late growth, and thus having young leaves when Grapes are 

 " finishing," for I attribute premature shrivelling, as well as 

 other defects, to this cause. Having plenty cf good foliage, the 

 next thing is to treat it well by providing sufficient moisture to 

 keep it healthy (and a little will do this), with exposure to light 

 and air to enable it to perform its functions as long as required. 

 The judicious control of the ventilation has a great influence on 

 the colouring and ripening, and though drier conditions are in 

 some degree required, parched air or soil are opposed to success. 

 For the colouring of late Grapes the temperature is also an 

 argent consideration, and no attempt should be made to reduce 

 the minimum already given for the mid-season treatment, until 

 the leaves are all down, when the weather must chiefly deter- 

 mine the temperature, as anything between 45° and 50° will suit, 

 and in very severe seasons it is better to let it fall a few degrees 

 than to increase the firing to keep it up to any fixed point. 



Keeping Late Grapes. — It is possible to keep some varieties 

 of late Grapes— as, for example, Lady Downe's and Alicante — 

 hanging on the vines until March, and if well ripened the former 

 variety in particular can be had as plump as could be desired. But 

 the practice is not a good one, as pruning the vines is thereby too 

 long delayed, and frequently vineries have to be utilised for 

 other plants which would interfere with the Grapes. If, there- 

 fore, it can be avoided, Grapes should not be allowed to remain 



