10 



the time when previously pruned, and this should be not oftener 

 than once a year. From the Frontignan and Foster's Seedling, 

 both very early grapes, two crops can be got under high cultiva- 

 tion, but the vines soon wear out." 



Mr. A. F. Barron, says : — " We prune our vines to the end that 

 we may obtain fruit. This is an obvious reason, though the mere 

 act of pruning can only to a very limited extent assist in the 

 production of fruit. By pruning we take away many of the fruit- 

 producing parts, but we concentrate force or power on the others. 

 The more complete the maturity of the buds, the more likely is 

 the fruit to be produced, so that in pruning for fruit, if the wood 

 is badly ripened, it is not advisable to prune too closely. Well- 

 ripened vines will, however, produce fruit from nearly every bud, 

 so that the danger of losing a crop by too close pruning is not 

 very great." 



TREATMENT AFTER PRUNING. 



After pruning let the vines be thoroughly cleaned. Clear off 

 the loose bark from the canes, but do not peel them too hard, 

 unless infested by some insect pest, then wash them with soap and 

 water to which some sulphur has been added. This will have the 

 effect of thoroughly ridding the stems of any insect pests that may 

 have found a hiding place beneath the loose bark. 



Watering — Mr. W. J. Thompson writes : — " The roots of the 

 vines should not be watered for about a week after pruning has 

 been done, then they should have a good soaking, not a few 

 bucketfuls but a watering equivalent to a rainfall of about six 

 inches, so that the whole of the roots will get well watered. 

 Besides the watering at the roots it is of the utmost importance 

 that the vines should be sprinkled over with a good syringe or 

 hose. This, should be done at least twice a day, and if it can be 

 done several times a day the buds will push all the better. 

 Syringing or sprinkling by means of a hose should cease as soon 

 as all the buds have started to grow. If a copious supply of 

 water is given at the roots when the vines are started into growth, 

 they will not need any more until they are about to flower, when 

 they should have another heavy soaking like the previous one." 



The Rev. Mr. Griffith writes : — " After pruning, and when the 

 new growth has begun, the vine must on no account be allowed to 

 go short of water : periodical soakings of water — the warmer the 

 better — should be regularly supplied. Too much is better than 

 too little, as if the drainage is good, the soil will soon put itself 

 right." 



MANURING. 

 The Rev. Mr. Griffith writes : — "Top-dressings of manure in 

 the form of heavy mulching during active growth are very useful. 

 They keep the roots moist and warm and also add to the food 

 supplies. The less the soil is afterwards disturbed the better. 

 When stable manure is used constantly, a light dressing of lime 

 every three or four years will be of benefit. Stable manure forms 

 humus, and humus in the soil adds to its water-holding capacity, 



