THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS 433 



thought, therefore, to insure more uniform fruit ; 

 it keeps the top near the root, which is sometimes 

 thought to be an advantage, and it is better suited 

 to the stature of the small -growing varieties. 

 There is, perhaps, a greater temptation to neglect 

 the vines in the drooping systems than in the 

 others, because the shoots need no tying, and do 

 not, therefore, demand frequent attention, whereas 

 in the upright systems the shoots soon become 

 broken or displaced if not watched. For very 

 large areas, or circumstances in which the best of 

 care cannot be given the vineyard, the Kniffin or 

 drooping systems are perhaps always to be recom- 

 mended. Yet the Kniffin profits as much from 

 diligence and skill as the other systems ; but it 

 will give better results than the others under 

 partial neglect. The strong varieties, especially 

 those making long and drooping canes, are well 

 adapted to the Kniffin styles ; but the smaller 

 sorts, and those stronger kinds which, like Ca- 

 tawba, make an upright and stocky growth, are 

 usually trained on the upright systems. But the 

 merits of both systems are so various and even so 

 little understood, that it is impossible to recom- 

 mend either one unqualifiedly. The advantages 

 in either case are often little more than matters 

 of personal opinion. It should be said, however, 

 that the Kniffin or drooping systems are gaining 

 in favor rapidly, and are evidently destined to 

 overthrow much of the older upright training. 



EB 



