GRAFTING VINES 493 



vine shown in the illustration (Fig. 313), no prun- 

 ing or rubbing out was done, but the vine would 

 have been in better shape for training if only 

 one or two shoots had been allowed to grow. 



313. A good yearling graft. 



If it is desired, however, to keep the old top, it 

 will be best to cut back the annual growth heavily 

 at the winter pruning. The amount of wood 

 which shall be left must be determined by the 

 vigor of the plant and the variety, but three or 

 four canes of six to ten buds each may be left at 

 suitable places. During the next season a strong 

 shoot from the base of each cane may be allowed 

 to grow, which shall form the wood of the follow- 

 ing season, while all the present cane is cut away 

 at the end of the year, so that the bearing -wood 

 is renewed each year, as in the regular systems 

 of training. Much skill and experience are often 

 required to properly rejuvenate an old vine; and in 

 very many cases the vine is not worth the trouble. 



