Grape Vines

With the increased sun heat, the temperature of vineries will run up to 850 or 900, and artificial means of heating will be required no longer. It does not matter how high the temperature rises so long as the ventilators are managed properly, and plenty of water is used to prevent dryness. If the grower cannot trust himself to rise early in the morning, he should leave the ventilators open an inch all night. It is dangerous to leave a house closed, even till eight o'clock, on a summer morning, especially after a spell of dull weather, as air moisture will have condensed on the berries, and if the sun comes out suddenly and dries this up the berries will "scald." Grapes on Vines that started without any artificial heat will now be at the thinning stage, and should be attended to.

Fig. 39. - Thinning Grapes.

a. Bunch unthinned.

b. Bunch thinned, and berries swelling evenly.

c. Point berries which must not be cut out.

d. Side berries which must be cut off, as denoted by the dark cross lines.

Thinning Peaches And Nectarines

These fruits will now be swelling fast. There is always a temptation to keep every fruit which sets, but it should be overcome if the crop is heavy. Two fruits may be permitted on strong shoots, but only one on weak ones. Should the amateur feel in doubt, let him content himself with two fruits to every square foot of space which the tree covers.

American Blight

Should any white fluffy tufts begin to gather on fruit trees, attack them at once with a few drops of methylated spirit. A brown aphis lurks beneath the fluff, the common name of which is American Blight. It is one of the worst of all fruit enemies, and must not be allowed to spread.

Strawberries

Fruit will be showing in the rows, and clean straw should be laid between the plants in order to keep the berries from contact with the soil. Lawn mowings do not make a good substitute, as the Grass adheres to the berries when wet. Remember that keen bird eyes are watching the Strawberries, and that hungry blackbirds and other feathered enemies will swoop down as soon as colouring begins. Fish netting must be called into use as a protection. If there is plenty of it, it may be fixed on a framework a few feet above the plants, then the grower can gain access to all the fruit by lifting the netting at one corner. If laid just above the rows, it has to be raised all along to get at the fruit. If early plants are wanted for forcing, the tips of runners that have formed plantlets may be removed; this will strengthen the layers.

Fig. 40. - Thinning Peaches.

a. The right fruits to retain.

b. The ones to be removed.

Gooseberries

If the crop is abundant, some of the berries may be removed and made into tarts. The fruit may "taste of the tree," but the early gathering helps the fruit that is left to swell up to a large size.