56 



At the end of the first season the grower will have to settle how he 

 will train his vine, whether on the usual flat arbour, trellis, or as a 

 standard. The first is perhaps, all thing-s considered, the best — the 

 second, is the method I personally prefer, and the third is only pos- 

 sible with vines of robust growth. 



Under the usual flat arbour system vines seldom receive any at- 

 tention beyond watering until the time comes for the annual pruning, 

 when sometimes a cart load of worthless gi'owth, which should never 

 have been allowed, has to be cut away. This is generally a disagree- 

 able task. By the second method it is easy to see and get rid of any 

 useless growtli as it appears, and thus the whole work of the vine is 

 concentrated on the maturati n of the growing crop and the cane 

 necessary ior the production of the following one. 



Yery little is done in the way of producing a good cane until after the 

 crop is entirely removed ; then all laterals should be shortened back 

 and any new sappy growth removed entirely, in order that food may 

 be stored up in the new bud and this process is constant during what, 

 to the outward observer, seems to be the dormant season. 



As a rule the question of the next year's crop is settled a year 

 ahead. Pruning does not give fruit, it only settles its method of dis- 

 tribution over tiiie surface of the vine when the cane has already been 

 well grown ; it does, however, when skilfully performed help very 

 much in securing good canes well placed for the following year. 



Two systems of pruning commonly prevail. Each has its advocates 

 and both have their uses. 



The older and most gncally followed method is what is known as 

 close or spur pruning. This gives good results generally, and in the 

 case of some varieties gives the best results, but some kinds, notably 

 Gros Maroc, Barbarossa, and a few others are practically barren when 

 so treated. 



The other, and in certain cashes the better method, is to leave from two 

 to three buds on the cane when pruning in spring By this plan larger 

 and looser clusters are secured and the labour of thinning lessened 

 greatlj^ and in my opinion a better and heavier bearing is secured. 



The proper time for pruning in Jamaica is any time between the end 

 of January or) to the middle of March. If the season is dry and warm 

 the commencement of pruning may usefully be delayed longer But 

 if the year opens with showers followed by warm sunshine, to delay the 

 work of pruning would result in i-evere bleeding which, however, abates 

 as soon as the buds swell. There is very little to be gained bj'^ early 

 pruning before the sap is stirring. A month's difference in the date of 

 pruning vines of the same variety seldom makes more than a week's 

 difference m the time of rip( ning. The later pruned vines certainly 

 yield the larger and better crops. 



A.S far as possible a virie should each year be pruned at or near 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 cultivation, but the vines soon 

 wear out. 



After pruning, water should be given very sparingly until the buds 

 begin to push, when a copious watering, using, if available, water from 

 a tank or cask that has been waimed by standing in the sun may be 



