264 



THE. FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Arrangement and Planting. Vineyards are generally planted in lines running north 

 and south. At Castle Coch the vines are placed 3 feet apart every way, and the growths 

 are secured to upright stakes, rising about 4 feet from the ground. A vine so trained 

 is represented in the illustration, Fig. 79, page 263. 



In raising outdoor vines it is a common practice to " set " the cuttings in their final 

 quarters, leaving two eyes above ground; but one suffices (page 100, Vol. I.). Eooted 

 canes should be planted in autumn, mixing a handful of bone-meal with the soil for 

 each vine and cutting the cane back to two buds. 



Training and Pruning. Castle Coch system. In this the vine has a main stem of 

 9 to 12 inches, and the bearing shoots proceed from the top. These are secured to 

 the stake already mentioned, and are cut back to a bud or two of the base every 

 season. Several growths start in spring. A selection is made of the most promising 

 for bearing, and the others are rubbed off. Three are shown in the engraving 



Fig 80. VINE ON CHAINTRB OB EXTENSION SYSTEM (AFTER WETMORE.) 



(Fig. 79, page 263), a leaf or two having been removed to render the grapes more 

 visible. The bunches are produced from the third or fourth joints from the base, but 

 the shoots are allowed to reach the top of the stakes, and are then stopped. Secondary 

 growths are suppressed as fast as produced, that letting the sun reach the ground, 

 which, kept free of weeds, absorbs heat and in turn radiates it in cold periods, and con- 

 serves the soil's moisture. 



Chaintre or Extension System. This originated with the French, and " consists in 

 growing long canes which, when fruiting, are supported upon short forked stakes, so 

 that the clusters hang within a few inches of the ground." It is found to answer better 

 than trellises in vineyards, because the vines after being properly pruned can be turned 

 back and the ground cultivated more easily and cheaply. In summer the vines are spread 

 out over the wide spaces between the rows. The vines are pruned on the " long " or 

 extension principle (see " Long Pruning "), and the growths are disposed in summer 



