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 elaborate, and hence would result the immaturity of the grape. The same principles will not apply in a hotter climate, and a drier season and soil; and hence, in the most southern districts of France, and in Spain, Italy, and Sicily, these are are not performed.

A third operation, the removal of the larger leaves, when the grape has attained almost its full size, has, besides the above, another object in view, which is, the exposure of the bunches to the ripening influence of the sun's rays. This is only necessary, or advantageous, in colder climates, it being seen above, that it is in some cases advantageous to ripen the grapes in the shade.

Where these operations are advantageous, much care and judgment is necessary to direct them. The branches should never be shortened before the vine has flowered, nor indeed before the grapes are formed

The neglect of this precaution, by causing the reflux of the sap, and carrying a superabundance of it to the flower, at a delicate crisis, is one of the most frequent causes of its sterility. If too great a number of the leaves be removed, the grapes dry and rot, without reaching maturity; and this is not all, for the shoots which are still green, cease to ripen; and the buds, not having