GRAPE VINES PRUNING. 



285 



is not mueh practised now, being generally superseded by the spur system, by 

 which medium-sized, compact bunches with perfect berries are obtained. It is the 

 best method for the free-bearing varieties. The rod 

 system, however, is more favourable to the strong- 

 growing varieties, and if very large bunches are wanted 

 this is the way to secure them. 



Combination Pruning. Having regard to the pro- 

 longed vigour of the vine, there is no system equal to 

 this, which combines every advantage of the rod with 

 the spur methods. Its principle consists in pruning to 

 the best bud, thus making sure of a crop of fruit, and 

 at the same time preventing the vine lapsing into an in- 

 different condition. With care no unnecessary wood is 

 produced, nor crowded foliage, and if no more growths 

 are allowed to be made than will permit of a proper leaf 

 development, fine bunches will be produced on the young 

 rods and useful grapes from the spurs. The lines upon 

 which the pruning is conducted may be gleaned from 

 the accompanying engraving, Fig. 89. 



The combination system comprises every good feature 

 of training and pruning vines. The cane _, e (long 

 pruning) has the full bearing power of a pot vine or 

 supernumerary (Fig. 86, C, page 277). The rod/, k has 

 all the characters of a spurred vine with extension 

 growth, while g and h represent short rod pruning 

 for bearing and continuation. Weak parts are cut out 



Fig. 89. VINE PRUNING ON THB COM- 

 BINATION SYSTEM. 



References : L, part of vine showing 

 pruning system : d, rods cut away 

 to the bars after fruiting ; e, cane long- 



and strong provided ; thus the vines undergo constant pruned ; /, cane from base, pruned to 



, . three buds to supply successional cane 



rejuvenation and, under good management, bear crops torf . short rod system :,, cane shortened 

 of excellent grapes over a long series of years. 



It 



to plump buds for bearing ; h, cane for 



bearing and continuation ; .;', rod spur- 



pruned; 4, spurs on three-years wood; 

 l > S P cut awa ? to * ive room for the 



bearing parts of the cane m. 



Early PruningThis is essential for the vine. 

 should be done as soon as the leaves fall. This insures 

 complete rest, and any movement of the sap during the 

 period of repose will be concentrated on the buds left, enhancing their vigour. After 

 late or spring pruning the vine bleeds, that is, the sap exudes copiously from the 



