1280 THE FRUIT INDUSTRY ix XEW YORK STATE 



eacK shoot bears from two to three clusters, usually two, tw r enty 

 to thirty buds of the previous year's growth must therefore be 

 left. This can be done by leaving a sufficient number of canes or 

 spurs carrying the number of buds already mentioned. Good 

 pruning then consists of cutting out all the wood except canes 

 or spurs sufficient to furnish the shoots for the desired number 

 of clusters. 



Time for Pruning 



The time for pruning the grape varies somewhat with different 

 growers and various localities ; as a rule, it may be begun as soon 

 as the vine has dropped its leaves in fall. Any time after this 

 to a period just before the swelling of the buds in spring, may 

 be given to this w T ork. Some vineyardists even prune after a 

 vigorous flow of sap has begun, asserting there is no serious injury 

 therefrom. There is a considerable sap flow in the vine even before 

 weather conditions appear favorable for it, so that it is best not 

 to delay the operation too late. In certain sections where grapes 

 are grown commercially, in order to prevent freezing, it is neces- 

 sary to cover the vines in position or to lay them on the ground 

 for covering because of severe winter w r eather. In order to les- 

 sen the area to be covered, it is good practice to prune to some 

 extent before covering. In doing this, it is advisable to leave 

 more wood than is actually needed for next year's crop, as there 

 is danger that some of the buds may be broken off or the canes 

 otherwise injured from this covering. There is an old saying, 

 a Xever prune w y hen the wood is actually frozen," for which some 

 foundation can be found, since canes are much more liable to 

 breakage if handled when frozen. Other than this, there is no 

 reason why pruning should not be done at any time during the 

 dormant season. In the Chautauqua belt, pruning begins with the 

 falling of the leaves and continues during the winter until just 

 before the buds begin to swell. The milder days, of course, are 

 preferred. 



Types of Pruning 



Judicious pruning of the grape is more essential than is train- 

 ing to system, but there necessarily exists a relationship between 

 pruning and training. If the condition of the vine permits, it 

 may be pruned; but, in many instances, its vigor, as shown by 



