476 AMERICAN GRAPE TRAINING, CONCLUDED 



Kniffin, and the shoots hang over the wires. The 

 chief advantage of this training is that it allows 

 of the growing of bush -fruits between the rows, 

 as seen in Fig. 308. It is also said that the 

 clusters hang so free that the bloom is not in- 

 jured by the twigs or leaves, and the fruit is 

 protected from sun and frost. Every post must 



308. Overhead Kniffin. 



be large and firmly set, however, adding much 

 to the cost of the trellis. 



Several styles similar to this are in use, one 

 of the best being the Crittenden system, of 

 Michigan. In this system the trellis is low, not 

 exceeding four or five feet, and the vines cover 

 a flat -topped platform two or three feet wide. 

 By midsummer the drooping shoots have reached 

 the ground, making a continuous drapery of 

 foliage, as seen in Fig. 309. 



