PRUNING GRAPE VINES 



307 



If the vines are to be trellised with one wire, a 36-inch stake 

 driven 18 inches into the ground is the proper length. If two wires 

 are to be used, a 48-inch stake will be needed, leaving 30 inches 

 above the surface. 



If the vines are to be pruned long and the canes tied to the 

 stake, a 5-foot stake will usually be needed, and this must be 

 stronger, 2 by 2 inches square. This stake should be driven 2 feet 

 into the ground. 



These dimensions are all smaller than are usual in California, 

 but are quite sufficient for all practical purposes. The stake should 

 be placed 1 or 2 inches from the vine on the side opposite to the 



Fig. 1. Treatment of an average vine during second season. 



a. Winter pruning. 



b. Spring pruning removal of suckers (S) and thinning of shoots (W). 



c. Summer treatment tying to stake and topping. 



prevailing heavy winds. The force of the wind will thus keep the 

 vine pressed against the stake and the tying material is less liable 

 to break. 



First Winter Pruning. In California, the young vines may be 

 pruned at any time after the leaves have fallen, except in sections 

 very subject to spring frosts, where it is sometimes advisable to 

 defer the pruning until after the top buds of the canes start. 



The way the vines are to be pruned will depend altogether on 

 the growth they have made. If the growth has been small the tops 

 are pruned exactly like rooted vines before planting. All the canes 

 are removed entirely, except the strongest, and this is cut back to 

 two buds (see Fig. 1, a). 



