GIRDLING THE- VINES. 



361 



II. What is best width of the girdle ? 



III. Shall the first cut be allowed to heal over, or be 

 removed the second time? 



IV. What is the effect of girdling upon the parts below 

 the cut? 



V. The effect upon the permanent health of the vine ? 

 VI. The best plan for practical application ? 

 VII. Profits of the operation ? 



To systematize the matter, the following plan was adopted ; 

 and the vines girdled in the different ways were labelled 

 after the following manner : — 



Following the above plan, one vine was girdled, in each of 

 the above waj^s, each week from June 17 to Aug. 25, when 

 the fruit was fast advancing toward ripeness. The vines 

 treated were grown in the same part of the vineyard as 

 those not treated, and were as nearly as possible in the same 

 condition. They were closely watched, and any change 

 noted as soon as it appeared up to Sept. 15. 



Although the season was very late, yet some of the 

 bunches were well ripened Sept. 5. 



The results of the above experiments or answers, as far as can 

 be given in the short time carried on, may be stated thus*: — 



1st, The best effect was noticed where the cut was made 

 from July 1 to Aug. 1, and kept open by a second or third 

 removal of the healing growth. 



2d, The cut should be made about one half-inch in width. 

 By making it of this width, there is less danger of its healing 

 over, and the necessity of a second or third cut obviated. 

 The girdling of the new wood was not a success ; for, 

 although the results were very marked in a few cases, yet 

 most of the canes became broken by the wind. 



