THE GARDEN WEEK BY WEEK 



Dec. back close to a bud near the base. Young fruit trees 

 ^~^5 which were planted recently ought to be cut hard back. 

 The main branches of established trees ought not to be 

 cut in severely, but the side shoots may be pruned back. 

 These remarks apply to Apples, Pears, Plums, Damsons, 

 Currants, and Gooseberries. Cherries need very little 

 pruning. As the details of pruning were given in 

 Chapter I., it is unnecessary to repeat them here. 



Grapes. — Those who force Grapes 

 for early crops, and want them ripe 

 by the end of May, must start the Vines 

 soon. They will have been well ripened, 

 rested, and pruned. Few growers, 

 however, except in large establishments, 

 force Grapes so soon. The amateur 

 who grows them in a small vinery, or 

 possibly on the roof of his conservatory, 

 will be in the position of having the 

 Vines completely at rest now, and his 

 course is to prune them and clean 

 them. The laterals which have borne 

 fruit should be cut back, and if a plump 

 bud can be found close to the main 

 rod, prune to that. The closer the 

 laterals can be pruned in annually the 

 better, because long gnarled stumps, 

 which harbour insects, are avoided. 

 Still, it is no use pruning to a weak, thin bud ; rather 

 than this, leave a short stump. Where the rods are old 

 and worn take up a new one (Fig. 97). 



Fig. 97.— Taking up 

 Fresh Vine Rods. 



a. Old vine rod. 



b. Old spurs. 



c. New rod to replace 



old one. 



398 



