PRUNING THE VINE : THE SPUR SYSTEM. 



Supposing the Vine to have completed its second season's growth, 

 and to be in good order for pruning, if it has grown well there should 

 be some four or five shoots on each side of the main rod or stem left at 

 the previous pruning, with a corresponding continuation of the main 

 stem itself, to ten or twenty feet or more, 

 as may have been allowed. These side- 

 shoots have then to be pruned ; by doing 

 this we form the first spurs, and according 

 as we do this, do we lay the foundation 

 of good or bad spurs for the future. It is 

 well, therefore, if only on this account, to 

 give a little care and attention to the 

 matter at the present stage. As already 

 stated, with well-ripened wood there need 

 be little fear of losing a crop of fruit 

 through too close pruning. The bud or 

 eye situate close to the stem, although 

 not so large and conspicuous as the others 

 further off, will produce as strong a shoot 

 as they, and as good a bunch of fruit, 

 or nearly so. Besides, close pruning has 

 the advantage, especially in the present 

 case of first pruning, of keeping the spurs 

 close at home. Fig. 14 may be taken to 

 represent a portion of the main stem of 

 the second season's growth, showing the 

 formation of the first spur. A is a spur 

 properly pruned and formed ; B is a spur 

 of far more pretending appearance, such 

 as the timid and uninitiated always leave ; 

 it is, however, wrong, and should be cut 

 off, as shown by the cross line, a b. 

 Some cultivators recommend leaving long 

 spurs at pruning time, so as to have a 

 choice of buds at disbudding - time, 

 intending then to rub off the front one ; 

 but this system is pernicious, as the upper 

 bud is sure to break the stronger, and to 

 allow it to break, and then to rub it off, 

 is a sheer waste of force. 



As regards the main stem or rod,. 

 the same considerations as to its pruning 

 have to be applied as in the previous 

 season. Cut off all the summer lateral 

 shoots ; do not depend on any of them 

 for permanent work Then cut the stem 



Fiff u y v 



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