GRAPE-PRUNING ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE 



169 



vines are planted 12 by feet, as these were. The number of 

 spurs will depend on their length. Six spurs of two buds each 



Fig. 28. Three-year-old vine ready for pruning. 



will give the required number, but as some of these canes are 

 exceptionally vigorous they should be left a little longer, in 

 which case a smaller number of spurs will suffice. 



When the number and length of the spurs are decided on, the 

 canes should be chosen which will leave these spurs in the most 

 suitable position for forming arms. This 

 position will depend on whether we want 

 a vase-form or fan-shaped vine. In the 

 first case, we choose those which will dis- 

 tribute the spurs most evenly and sym- 

 metrically on all sides, avoiding an;\' which 

 cross or point downwards. 



In the second case, we choose only 

 those canes which run in the direction of 

 the trellis, avoiding canes which stick out 

 between the rows. Downward })ointing 

 canes may be used in this case. 



Figure 29 shows the vine after pruning for a vase-formed 

 head. The i)runer has used two of the strongest canes to form 



Fig. 29. Vine of 

 Fig. 28 after pruning 

 for vase-fornied head. 



