I 
88 ON THE MANAGEMENT 
After the fruit is cut, the Vines will require no other ma- 
nagement till the pruning feafon, but taking off their laterals, 
in the manner already pointed out for the preceding yeark 
At 
^ As it frequently becomes neceflary to convey ripe grapes to a remote diftance, 
and as this delicate fruit is very liable to receive injury by improper methods of 
packing, I hope the following information on this fubjedf rnay be of ufe to many 
of my readers* 
When grapes are intended to be conveyed by water, they may fafely be packed 
in boxes with fand. Firft, put a quantity of fand fufficient to cover the bottom of 
the box about one inch j upon this lay your bunches in a courfe, or layer, almoft 
clofe together, only take care that none of the berries touch the fides of the box. 
Upon this layer of bunches pour in dry fand, till the grapes are covered about half 
an inch ; then lay in more grapes and fand alternately, till the box is filled. 
Grapes thus packed will travel fafe, and by being almoft excluded from the air, 
will keep frcfli and good a long time. Grapes are conftantly thus brought into 
this country from Portugal^ and they often arrive in pretty good perfedlion. But 
now confidering the expence from weight in this mode of packing, it would be ex- 
travagant to ufe it v/hen this fruit requires to be fent a confidcrable diftance by 
land carriage. 
Grapes will alfo travel with fafety, by being packed in a box with any fmall 
bright feed. Clover feed is very proper for this purpofe j but the expence attend- 
ing this mode of conveyance is alfo very confiderable, both on account of the great 
value of Uje feed, and alfo in refpedf of its weight. I would tlierefore recommend 
the packing grapes in oat- chaff, as the moft eligible in all refpedls. 
Grapes have fometimes been packed in tow, wool, cotton, and paper fhavings ; 
but I find, by experience, that oat-chaff is greatly preferable. Oat-chaff is not 
only exceedingly light in its nature, but is alfo pofleffed of a kind of elaftic force. 
Pleafe toobferve, that when oat-chaff is ufed, it ought not to have any difagree- 
able fmell j it fhould alfo be cleanfed of all impure matter 5 and the grapes fhould 
' be 
