CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



177 



It is expected thnt pruning has been completed before 

 this time ; if not so, do it without delay. When this 

 operation is deferred until late, the vines will " bleed" 

 freely, and, although this does not materially injure them, 

 it nevertheless prevents a vigorous burst of the foliage 

 and young shoots, retards the ripening, and injures the 

 quality of the fruit for the season. If the vines have not 

 been neatly tied to the trellises, or stakes, do it at once. 

 When the branches are left to be dashed about by the 

 equinoctial gales, or even handled when the buds are 

 swelling, they are easily injured. Remove all the loose 

 bark, and examine if there be any chrysalides or eggs of 

 insects in the crevices, — if so, destroy them ; and Avhen 

 there is only a limited quantity of vines, and time can be 

 spared, it makes sure work if both branches and trellis 

 should be washed over with the mixture mentioned on 

 page 65. Near a dwelling-house or other building this 

 ought to be done every season, for in such places the 

 insects are often more numerous, and have better chances 

 of protection through the winter. Have 

 an eye to neatness and finish, and as 

 soon as the weather will permit, fork 

 over the surface, working in the ma- 

 nure or other dressing, applied in the 

 Fall as a mulch, at the same time. 



The accompanying figure (Fig. 32) 

 shows another very good method for 

 training the hardy kinds, and is best 

 adapted for vineyards ; {a) the bearing 

 branches ; {h) shoots of the present year, 

 and intended for fruiting the next sea- 

 son; (c) stakes. 



Fig. 32. 



8* 



