Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1869 — Thinning out Grapes. [ARTICLE]

Thinning out Grapes.

1s the importance of thinning out the fruit of the vine duly considered by the majority of cultivators? 1 think not. From close observation, and even sad experience, the subjeot, iu my opinion, calls for much more attention than is usually given. In young vines, this is particularly the case. Such vigorous and hardy constituted varieties as the Concord may stand it to a considerable extent, but even they will eventually suffer. This fault is not only to be found in the vineyardsof the novice, but can be seen almost everywhere, in charge of those who know better. This, then, being admitted, the next question is, How shall it best be remedied ? Shall we prune so much shorter, so as not to leave more wood than the vine can carry safely through, Or leave more wood, and then thin out the branches ? The latter, in my opinion, will be the best, for by the first plan, we get our fruit too mnch crowded, and throw too much force into the young canes for the following year’s bearing. My impression is that when a vine is pruned to what would have been about right, the pinching out of every third bunch, at the first operation, pinching back would be the method. I would leave but two bunches on each bearing shoot and in some instances it is better to leave but one. We all know that the forming of the seed Of any fruit is the heaviest tax on the plant. This being the case, do we notf give considerable relief when we diminish this tax one-third ? I think we would be safe in counting on having the same weight of fruit in the two bunches as three are left. Some years ago we grew Concord banches in this way, which the oommittee, who were to test them, would not admit to be that variety uutil they tasted them. For marketing table grapes, this is particularly practicable. For instance, let one naan take Concords that will average three-fourths of a pound to tfce bunch, and another have them aa usu£ ally grown, atfft my word for It, the large bunches will command nearly double price, not only among the wealthy but the masses. —Grape CuUurist.