New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 513 



operation may be performed with a knife, but where ringing is 

 extensively engaged in a tool designed for the purpose is used. 



In order to obtain some definite data on the subject of ringing 

 grape vines experiments were begun in 1896 in two sections of 

 the State. The results of the experiments as given in the follow- 

 ing pages are not all conclusive, but are offered as a confirmation 

 of some of the knowledge that the growers have gained. 



EXPERIMENTS AT POUGHKEEPSIE. 



Experiments in ringing grape vines were begun in the vineyard 

 of Mr. "Walter F. Taber, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1896, and con- 

 tinued through two seasons. Different varieties were selected for 

 the experiment and since Mr. Taber trains his vines on the two- 

 arm Ivniffin system both anus of all vines save four were ringed 

 just beyond the fifth bud. With, the remaining four vines both 

 arms were ringed just beyond the renewal bud. 



All vines were ringed June 20. Notes were taken on the 

 condition of the fruit August 20 as follows: 



Concord.- — A remarkable difference in the condition of the fruit 

 on the ringed and unringed vines. The fruit on the former vines 

 is much farther advanced, though not yet ripe. 



Delaware. — Not much difference in size or earliness but the 

 quality of the fruit on the ringed vines is decidedly inferior to that 

 on unringed vines. 



Empire State. — Emit on ringed vines is now about ripe. 

 Nearly two weeks earlier in ripening than the unringed vines. 



Moore's Early. — - No noticeable difference between the fruit on 

 ringed and unringed vines, though the berries of the former are 

 a little larger and not as good in quality. 



Niagara. — Fruit on ringed vines is somewhat larger and some- 

 what earlier, not yet ripe. 



AVorden. — Fruit on ringed vines a little earlier but no larger, 

 more inclined to crack than fruit from unringed vines. 

 33 



