234 



GARDEN GUIDE 



The simplest trellis is the Munson or canopy. Erect it as follows: 



Set end posts, preferably of locust or red cedar, five inches in diame- 

 ter at their bases so as to be below the "frost hne." Place others, three 

 or four inches in diameter, 24 to 30 ft. apart in the rows. Saw the 

 tops off square at 4 to 5 ft. above ground. Bore a small hole 6 or 8 in. 

 below the top of each post for the lowest wire (size No. 11) to pass 

 through. Spike or wire on crosspieces of 2 by 4 scantling 24 in. long 

 on top of the posts. An inch from their outer ends saw a slot half an 

 inch deep for the other two wires to rest in. Fasten the ends of the 

 wires firmly to one end post but loosely to the other so they may be 

 loosened in Winter and tightened in Summer. The trelhs will not be 

 needed until the vines are a year or two old. 



When the vine is planted cut off all side shoots and reduce the 

 main cane to two or three joints, each with a plump bud. When young 



shoots develop tie 

 them to stakes 5 or 6 

 ft. tall. Tie again 

 during Summer when 

 necessary to keep the 

 vines off the ground. 

 In mid-Winter cut off 

 all side shoots. If the 

 main cane is weak cut 

 it back to 15 to 20 in. 

 and manage as the 

 first season. If it is 

 sturdy, tie to the 

 lowest wire of the 

 trellis and cut off all 

 above this wire. To 

 steady the cane, coil a stout cord around it two or three times in a 

 spiral and fasten to the base of the vine and to the wire. When growth 

 starts in Spring, destroy all shoots except those from the uppermost 

 two buds. Train these in opposite directions along the lowest wire. 

 Better not allow any fruit to develop this year so the two "arms" 

 will become very strong. Allow no shoots to develop below these arms 

 on the main trunk. 



In the second mid-Winter cut off all side shoots and shorten the 

 arms or main canes to 4 to 8 joints — few for weak canes, more for 

 strong ones. Each bud w ill produce a shoot and each shoot should bear 

 one to five clusters of grapes. As the shoots grow, raise their ends 

 and let them hang over the upper wires. They do not need to be tied. 



Munson System of Grape Training. 

 Vine Unpruned. Courtesy Kentucky Exp. Station 



