412 AMERICAN GRAPE TRAINING 



set, the variety, the soil and cultivation, and the 

 system of training ; but, as a rule, the training 

 begins the second or third year, previous to which 

 time the vine is pruned, not trained. Two -year- 

 old vines are most popular for planting, although 

 in the strong varieties, as Concord and Niagara, 

 well -grown yearling vines are probably as good, 

 if not better. The strong -growing kinds are 

 commonly set from eight to ten feet apart in the 

 row, and the rows eight or nine feet apart. Dela- 

 wares and other small vines may be set closer, 

 although eight feet is preferable. When set, the 

 vine is cut back to two or three buds. During 

 the first year, the young canes are usually allowed 

 to lie upon the ground at will, as seen in Fig. 

 263. In the fall or winter, all the canes but one 

 are cut off, and this one is cut back to two or 

 three buds. The vine is, therefore, no larger at 

 the expiration of a year's growth than it was 

 when planted ; but in the meantime the plant has 

 become thoroughly established in the soil, and the 

 second year's growth should be strong enough to 

 form the basis for the permanent trunk or arm. 

 If, however, the second year's growth is weak, it 

 may be cut back as before, and the third season's 

 growth used for the trunk. On the other hand, 

 the growth of the first year is sometimes carried 

 onto the wires to form the permanent trunk and 

 arms, but it is only with extra strong vines in 

 good soil that this practice is admissible. From 



