118 THE GRAPE. 



bad been adopted, with the advantage of having spurs 

 which have not been burdened with fruit, and also the 

 probability of future finer bunches, for the most prominent 

 and well-formed buds always bring the best shaped and 

 largest clusters, and this action gives a better chance of 

 obtaining such. There is no fear of not being able to get 

 shoots from the base, if properly managed; for, in most 

 cases, adventitious buds, and generally more than will be 

 wanted, are developed, and have to be rubbed off. When 

 these side spurs have accumulated, and extend along the 

 whole length to the top of the house, the leader may be 

 cut off above the top pair, and if proper care has been 

 taken in breaking the buds, as previously advised, there 

 will be a uniform strength over the whole vine. If the 

 canes have been previously disbudded, there is no danger 

 of over-crowding, as the following year the bearing branch 

 is brought down to the same position as that of last season, 

 and the other one trained more upright into the vacant 

 space. 



All trees have a natural tendency to push the strongest 

 growth to the top and extreme ends, particularly while 

 young and vigorous ; and if the side branches are very 

 closely cut away periodically, the sap is directed more 

 strongly upwards, the lateral force is reduced in a cor- 

 responding ratio, and the aide branches are rendered 

 weaker. This is often seen in the grape-vine, and is as 

 often a cause of complaint. Now, the above method very 

 much counteracts this evil, as a greater quantity of leaves 

 are encouraged from each individual base, and, of course, 

 a greater draw of fluid is produced into the side branches, 

 which, when once established, remains permanent ; and, 

 so long as the same causes are in existence, the flow ia 

 equalized, the side spurs correspondingly stronger, the 

 buds become plumper, and the bunches larger. To still 



