The Garden Under Glass

AN EPITOME OF VINE CULTURE 161 decent bunches, and this may be taken as a guide. Having decided on the number of bunches to be left, the others may be cut out, but in the selection due regard should be paid to the position, the size, the shape and the fullness of the bunch as well as respect for the balance of the vine by having the bunches evenly clistributed. Unless the bunches are thinned the berries become sma.11 and packed closely together, with the result that they hold more moisture and are very liable to damp. Besides which the bunches are not so fine and the proportion of stone to fruit pulp is much larger. Grapes inside must certainly be thinned, though it is tedious work. Early morning and evening are the best times, because, being cooler, more work can be done in greater comfort. Con-siderable practice is needed to be able to thin grapes expeditiously and well. Primarily the leaving of the best bunches as described above has much to do with the after-appearance of the crop. Having made the selection, the Shoulders of the bunch should be tied out with raffia grass and the thinning may then be undertaken. All small seedless berries should be cut out as well as those which grow inwards. Beyond that the best-placed berries should be retained, and in the case of the shoulders as well as the main bunch it is better to retain the point berries. If the berries stand out clear, so that no two are nigher than half-an-inch to one another, the bunch may be considered well thinned. All the little berries or flower stalks which have not set must be cut out, and in doing so care must be taken not to injure the berries which are to be left, with the points of the scissors. Special scissors are used for the purpose, and it is essential that they cut well at the points. A little monkey soap will be found useful for cleaning them occasionally. L