Jan. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 47 



The Pruning of the Vine. 



[Continued from Vol. XXX, page 808.] 



H. E. LAFFER, Viticultural Expert. 



Treatment of Annual Growths. 

 A spu7' may be defined as a portion of the annual wood of the vine which 

 has been cut back to a general length of two buds. In some ca.ses three, or 

 even four, buds are left, but such ai-e an exception in the general treatment 

 of the vine. 



A rod is a portion of the annual growth which, mainly for purposes of 

 fruit production, is cut back to a length greater than four buds and tied 

 down by its extreme end to a wire or some portion of the vine. 



By reason of the limited number of buds constituting a spur, the growth 

 from each under normal conditions is strong, and capable of developing large 

 bunches of fruit, as well as pi-oviding wood for re-establishing the spurs in 

 the following year. The spur may thus be said to fill a dual purpose in 

 providing both the fruit and the wood from which the framework of the vine 

 is built up. Consequently, it will be readily understood that in selecting the 

 spurs, all things being equal, the preference should be given to those which 

 will maintain or improve the general contour of the vine. By reason of the 

 limitation of the number of buds on a spur-pruned vine, it can naturally 

 carry a greater number ©f secondary arms as compared with one which is 

 rod-pruned. In fact, it may be said that the number of secondary arms is 

 limited only by the vigour of the vine. 



In the case of rod-pruned vines, the purpose of the rod is purely for fruit 

 production, and therefore its position, in so far as it affects the shape of the 

 vine, need not be considered. The rod is of only a temporary nature, and it 

 is removed at the pruning subsequent to its having borne fruit. 



In view of the numerous buds which have to be nourished, the individual 

 growths are generally weak, and are therefore not suited to the purpose of 

 renewing the fruiting wood. Apart from this fact, the canes upon fruiting 

 rods are usually a long way from the permanent wood of the vine. Under 

 these circumstances the use of these canes would lead to a badly constructed 

 framework. In order to overcome this difficulty, the spur is used in conjurc- 

 tion Avith the rod. The former assures I'enewal of good strong canes, which 

 may be used for the purpose of re-forming while the rod is carrying the fruit. 

 With this object in view, it follows that the spur must be given preference 

 of position in so far as it influences the shape of the vine. It is preferable to 

 select a well-placed water shoot rather than a badly-placed fruit shoot. The 

 rod, on the other hand, must be a fruit-bearing cane, and the question of its 

 position on the vine does not matter so long as it yields the fruit. Under 

 normal conditions of growth the spur and the rod will be created from the 



