49 



RINGING THE BEARING SHOOTS. 



The practice of ringing, or girdling, the branches, known also as 

 " annular incision," is followed to some extent in Europe, chiefly by 

 gardeners growing Grapes under glass, but is seldom adopted in 

 Australasia. The theory of ringing is that it assists in causing the fruit 

 to set, and hastens the period of maturity. Very often at the flowering 

 period the sap is too strong, and unless interrupted this excess of 

 vigour tends to the abortion of the 

 flowers. By checking the return flow 

 of sap this contingency is avoided. 

 Experience has also proved that this 

 treatment causes the fruit to ripen 

 earlier than it would do otherwise, 

 and some growers are of opinion that 

 . its quality is improved. The operation 

 should be performed when the flowers 

 are fully developed. It is performed 

 by the removal of a narrow ring 

 of bark from the fruit-bearing shoot, 

 below the bunch. In order to ensure 

 success the cut must be clean through 

 to the wood, and the ring of bark 

 should be perfectly removed. As a 



matter of course, shoots treated in this way will die back, and must 

 be cat away at the winter pruning. The practice of annular incision 

 is not of much value in general Grape culture, but it will sometimes 

 prove serviceable in regions where vines are grown under glass, as 

 will be the case in some parts of New Zealand and Tasmania and 

 in the colder districts of Australia. 



GIRDLING. Showing a Girdled 

 Shoot. 



TYING 



When long canes have been left they should be securely fastened 

 to the trellises or stakes before the leaves expand. If single stakes 

 are used for long canes, it will be advisable to fasten them so that 

 they will bulge out to some extent. When no supports are used 

 a common practice in some districts the canes should be tied 

 together so as to form bows or loops. As growth progresses the 

 young shoots should be carefully tied to their supports when they 

 are from twelve to fifteen inches long, or sooner if practicable, as, 

 being very brittle, they are easily broken off by strong winds and 

 heavy rains if not well secured. It is not advisable, however, to 

 make the fastenings too tight, as the branches require room for free 

 development. Every vine grower should make due provision for an 

 adequate supply of suitable material for tying. The materials are 

 various, the principal being the Osier Willow, New Zealand Flax, 

 and indigenous Rushes or similar plants that grow in many localities. 

 Rye straw also makes a good tying material. As a matter of course 



2c 



