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, how- 

 ever, which will be noted later. The prevalence of the short prun- 

 ing system frees our growers from the expense and inconvenience 

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

 our older short-pruned vines stand by themselves and are as inde- 

 pendent of support as our fruit trees. 



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 may be desirable to stake the vines 

 immediately after planting and to adopt the method of summer 

 treatment usually employed for the second year. 



In most cases, however, it is best to allow all shoots to grow at 

 will 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 ftrm 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 length. 



In firm ground, for small-growing vines, a stake 1J4 by 1J4 

 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 fbr 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 Tokay, especially 

 when planted in rich soil, a stake \y 2 by \y 2 inches and 36 inches 

 long will be necessary, and 15 or 18 inches of this should be left 

 above the ground. This will permit the heading of the vines at 15 

 inches. 



Detailed discussions of principles of vine pruning and of California methods are now 

 available in a reprint of Prof. Bioletti's writings in Bulletins 241 and 246 and Circular 191. 

 which can be had by application to the University Experiment Station at Berkeley. 



