44 

 LONG ROD PRUNING . 



With ne Rod and Spur. 



With Looped Rod 

 and Spurs. 



With Two Rods and Spurs. 



become unduly extended they should be headed back and a new growth 

 encouraged. In localities where frosts are troublesome, it will be advisable 

 to adopt the '* long-spur " system, as if the upper and more advanced 

 buds are seriously injured the shoots may be shortened back to a lower 

 bud that has not been affected. In pruning Grape Vines the cut should 

 invariably be from the side opposite the bud, and a little above it, slanting 

 upwards. Pruning may be done at any time during the winter, but it 

 should be delayed as long as possible. Early pruning is conducive to an 

 early growth in the spring, and, as a consequence, there is a greater risk 

 from frosts. July will be quite early enough to commence, even in the 

 warmer districts, unless large areas have to be treated, when it may be 

 necessary to begin sooner in order to get through the work in good 

 time. Even if the plants bleed rather freely after being pruned it does 

 not matter, as the the loss is merely water, and not true sap as is 

 generally supposed. Root pruning is not often required by Grape Vines, 

 though in the case of very vigorous plants it may sometimes prove useful. 



PROTECTING GRAPE VINES FROM FROST. 



A great trouble to cultivators in many localities, and even in the 

 medium warm districts of Australia, is the risk from frosts during the 

 first and second stages of growth. This risk may to a great extent be 

 avoided in localities where frosts are but light or unfrequent by adoptii g 



