GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF ARMS. 325 



are used for tying, but, on the whole, we have 

 found nothing better than cotton twine. 



The fruit, too, must receive attention. Re 

 solve at the beginning to become one of our 

 students, and grow only good fruit, ripe fruit. 

 As a general rule, no cane, in any arm or spur 

 system, should carry more than two bunches. 

 If all that set are left, the vine is overtasked, 

 and the ripening process imperfectly performed ; 

 but if part are removed early, the ripening pro 

 cess is strengthened rather than weakened, and 

 the goodness and ripeness which would have 

 been diffused and imperfect in four bunches, is 

 concentrated and made perfect in two. Here 

 and there a strong cane will be an exception to 

 the rule, and may carry three bunches ; here 

 and there, also, a weak one will form another 

 exception, and should carry only one, or even 

 none. The canes must all be examined, and the 

 fruit adjusted to its capacity. 



The evil of overcropping, especially young 

 vines, is very great and very common, and is 

 sometimes indulged in by persons who should 

 know better. The vine, no matter how healthy 

 it may be naturally, is enfeebled and made 

 sickly by it. The vital force is weakened, and 

 is unable to perfect the ripening process ; the 



