178 



NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



lected. During March is a good time to prune. It should be done before 

 the sap starts upward. 



The grape bears its fruit on shoots put fortli in the spring, which - 

 usually arise from canes of the previous year's growth, in which respect it 

 differs from our common tree fruits. Old wood is therefore of little value 

 on the grape, and pruning should be practiced to keep the old wood cut 

 out and to regulate the new growth for the best possible production. 



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Fig. 2. — Fruiting and renewal 

 canes of third year. Marked ones 

 to be cut. 



There are many systems of pruning, each having its points of advantage, 

 but almost all arriving at the same final results. One feature common 

 to almost all systems is the single permanent trunk from the top of which 

 the bearing canes are renewed each year. Each variety does not require 

 the same pruning, the difference, however, being mainly in the severity 



Fig. 3. — "Vine in Fig. 2 after prun- 

 ing, beginning of fourth year. 



of the operation. Strong growing and heavy bearing kinds should have 

 the bearing wood reduced more than the less vigorous and light bearers. 

 To grow the ideal vine, training and pruning should be practiced from 

 the time the plant is set. Old and neglected vines, however, if vigorous, 

 can often be shaped up fairly well and be made to produce surprisingly. 



