Jane 2, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
413 
support a heavier crop than those with a border largely composed of 
poor sandy loam. At the famous Longleat vinery the least satisfactory 
Vines at one time were Lady Downe’s, but since Mr. Pratt has cropped 
more heavily, leaving in many instances two good bunches on a lateral, 
a marked improvement has been effected, and I notice there is every 
prospect of a valuable crop being secured this season. All the Vines in 
that large rnnge are vigorous, and heavy cropping in this case has not 
we are thinning, one of the best shoulders being snipped or snapped off, 
or the berries may not be swelling so evenly as could be wished, this 
necessitating the removal of the bunch and the retention of a previously 
doomed yet better example. Most of us prefer to have large bunches, 
such as might please the judges at an exhibition, but for real service 
much smaller ones in greater numbers are the best. Fresh bunches 
always look best on the dining table, and if a larger dish is required 
Fig. 76.—ROSE THE PURITAN. 
apparently been so unwise, and is a very different matter to the other 
extremes I have just alluded to. Those who have their Vines rooting 
principally in inside borders, and give these plenty of moisture and 
what manure, artificial or otherwise, they require, may venture to retain 
heavier crops than would be safe where the Vines are rooting wholly in 
outside borders and at the mercy of all weathers. 
1 prefer to defer the finally thinning of the bunches till the berries on 
those intended to be retained are thinned, this being especially advisable 
in the case of shy setters. We might have an accident with the bunch 
occasionally it is a simple matter to cut three instead of one. What is= 
also of importance, these small bunches, or those weighing from 1 lb. tt> 
2 lbs. in weight, keep much better than do the larger clusters, and are, 
therefore, much the best for bottling. At Knowsley, a place famous for 
the quality of the fruit grown, I observed the bunches of such sorts as- 
Muscat of Alexandria, Alicante, and Gros Colman were not large, but 
was informed by Mr. Harrison, the experienced gardener in charge, 
that the largest are cut away, the smaller ones keeping so much the 
better. We are not all equal to this sensible practice of cultivating 
