CARE OF THE VINES DURING THE THIRD TEAR. 103 



equalizing the growth of our young canes a most 

 important point, not only as regards the neatness of 

 their appearance, but the regularity with which the 

 fruit buds will break next season and the strength 

 with which they will shoot. But as the latter points 

 depends not only upon the size of the canes, but 

 their maturity, it is necessary that an equal growth 

 be kept up during the whole season. This is easily 

 accomplished as the stopping may fortunately be per- 

 formed at any time. 



The same directions as to the removal of laterals 

 and the clearing of the ground should be observed 

 during this as during former years. Greater care is, 

 however, required in the treatment of laterals when 

 raising fruit-bearing canes, as if by too close pinch- 

 ing we should cause the buds which are found at the 

 base of the leaves and upon which we depend for 

 our next year's fruit to push, our prospects would be 

 materially injured. A good rule will be, never to pinch 

 out the laterals, and stop the main cane at the same 

 time ; and if the vines show a very vigorous growth 

 of wood, to allow the laterals to make two leaves 

 before stopping them. If the vines are weakly, we 

 may stop the laterals as soon as they appear, as in 

 this case, the main shoot makes sufficient draft upon 

 the roots, to keep all other growth in abeyance. 



