482 AMERICAN GRAPE TRAINING, CONCLUDED 



lowing account of this system of training is 

 written for this occasion by Mr. Munson:* 



"After the vines have flowered, the bearing laterals have 

 their tips pinched off, and that is all the summer pruning 

 the vine gets, except to rub off all eyes that start on the 

 body below the crotch. Two to four shoots, according to 

 strength of vine, are started from the forks or crotch, and 

 allowed to bear no fruit, but are trained along over the 

 lower central wire for renewal canes. When pruning time 

 arrives, the entire bearing cane of the present year, with 

 all its laterals, is cut away at a point near where the 

 young renewal shoots have started, and these shoots are 

 shortened back, according to strength of vine ; some, such 

 as Herbemont, being able at four years to fill four shoots 

 six or eight feet long with fine fruit, while Delaware could 

 not well carry over three or four feet each way of one 

 shoot only. The different varieties are set at various dis- 

 tances apart, according as they are strong or weak growers. 



" Thus the trellis and system of pruning are reduced to 

 the simplest form. A few cuts to each vine cover all the 

 pruning, and a few ties complete the task. A novice can 

 soon learn to do the work well. The trunk or main stem is 

 secured to the middle lower wire, along which all bearing 

 canes are tied after pruning, and from which the young 

 laterals which produce the crop are to spring. These lat- 

 erals strike the two outer wires, soon clinging to them 

 with their tendrils, and are safe from destruction, while 

 the fruit is thrown in the best possible position for spray- 

 ing and gathering, and is still shaded with the canopy of 

 leaves. I have now used this trellis five years upon ten 

 acres of mixed vines, and I am more pleased with it 

 every year. 



"^The following advantages are secured by this system : 



"1. The natural habit of the vine is maintained, which 



*American Grape Training, 80. 



