416 AMEKICAN GKAPE CULTURE. 



of the manner in wliich it is formed. It is not 

 intended as a substitute for the gradual length 

 ening of the arm, but as particularly applicable 

 to such varieties of the vine as grow rankly, 

 and in consequence do not develop their buds 

 strongly on the lower part of the cane. It is a 

 very certain mode of getting strong canes for 

 spurs near the stock. &quot;With the exception of 

 the reversal, the arms are formed in the usual 

 way. 



Fig. 169. 



Ringing the Vine. This is a very simple as 

 well as a very old practice. It consists in re 

 moving a ring of bark from the fruit cane, just 

 below the fruit, or even from old wood or an 

 arm ; but is generally confined to the fruit cane, 

 since it renders the wood above the incision 

 useless. It may be applied to any fruit-bearing 

 tree. The operation is usually performed with 



