CAKE OF OLD VINES. 245 



back on which good spurs may be formed. These spurs 

 should be distributed along the canes at a distance 

 of 14 to 20 inches on each side, and may be managed 

 individually, as described in Chap. VII. 



The height to which spur-bearing canes may be 

 carried is, perhaps, without limit, if they are properly 

 treated and the vines have sufficient root power. 

 But in practice, we do not think that it will be well 

 to have them longer than 6 to 8 feet. They are thus 

 kept within bounds, and any one which may become 

 barren is more easily renewed than if they are of 

 greater length. 



Where the vines are managed on the long-rod sys- 

 tem, we would never have the canes over 6 feet long, 

 and if only 4J to 5 feet, so much the better. 



Thus, if we desired to cover a wall or trellis fifteen 

 feet high, we would have two tiers of arms carrying 

 spur-bearing canes each 7 feet long, or three tiers 

 carrying long-rod or renewal canes. 



Before proceeding to renew an old vine, it may be 

 well to manure it thoroughly, either by a good top 

 dressing in the fall, liquid manure during the grow- 

 ing season, or by digging a trench about six feet from 

 the roots and filling it with good compost, bones, etc. 



An excellent plan for feeding an old vine is to 

 make a basin about six inches deep round its roots, 

 with boards, against the outside of which sufficient 



