CHAPTER XXVII 



PRUNING AND CARE OF THE VINE* 



Most of the varieties of vinifera grown in California at present 

 thrive under the short pruning system. There are exceptions, however, 

 which will be noted later. The prevalence of the short pruning 

 system frees our growers from the expense and inconvenience of 

 trellises. Though in the early years of the vine stakes are used, our 

 older vines stand by themselves and are as independent of support as 

 our fruit trees. The vines are, in fact, shaped upon something the 

 same model as our fruit trees, the so-called "goblet form" of the French 

 being our prototype. 



THE FIRST YEAR 



During the summer of the year the vines are planted, no pruning 

 or training of any kind is needed in most cases. For this reason it is 

 nearly always unnecessary to stake the vines when they are planted. 

 The only exception to this is when strong-rooted vines are planted in 

 a rich, moist soil in which they will make a very large growth the first 

 year. In this case it is desirable, though not quite necessary, to 

 stake the vines immediately after planting to adopt the method of 

 summer treatment described below for the second year. 



In most cases it is best to allow all shoots to remain to feed the 

 vine and to insure a good root growth the first year. 



Staking. In the autumn or winter following planting, the vines 

 should be staked, either before or after pruning, but in any case some 

 time before the buds start in the spring. 



The kind of stake used will depend on the variety of vine and on 

 the method of pruning to be ultimately adopted. For ordinary short- 

 pruning, the stake should be of such length that, after being driven 

 into the ground, sufficient will be below the surface to keep it firm 

 and prevent its being loosened by the force of the wind acting on the 

 vine which is tied to it, and sufficient above the surface to extend one 

 or two inches above the height at which it is intended to head the vines. 

 It should be from one and one-quarter to one and one-half inches 

 square, according to the length. 



In firm ground, for small-growing vines such as Zinfandel, a 

 stake 1*4 by 1^4 inches and 27 inches long will be sufficient. This 

 will allow 15 inches to be driven into the ground and leave 12 inches 

 above, which is enough for vines to be headed at 10 inches. If the 

 ground is loose or sandy a 30-inch stake driven 18 inches into the 

 ground will be needed. For strong-growing varieties, such as 

 Carignane or Tokay, especially when planted in rich soil, a stake 

 1^2 by l*/2 inches and 36 inches long will be necessary, and 15 or 



*The detailed instructions and accompanying illustrations in this chapter are taken from 

 the excellent writings of Mr. F. T. Bioletti for the California Experiment Station, and 

 embody the teachings of long experience and wide observation. 



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