146 



UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT STATION. 



PRUNING AND TRAINING OF YOUNG VINES. 



The first two or three years of the life of a vineyard are perhaps the 

 most important from the point of view of the profit and satisfaction to 

 be obtained from it later. Vines which are neglected or improperly 

 treated in youth can never be given that shape 

 which is indispensable for the maximum returns 

 and the minimum labor. 



Thousands of acres of new vineyard have been 

 planted during the last two years, and, without 

 attempting to write a complete treatise on vine 

 pruning, a few practical suggestions regarding 

 the treatment of young vines should be useful. 

 /Whatever the variety of vine and whatever the\ 

 j system of pruning to be ultimately adopted, the f 

 I treatment for the first two and even three years \ 

 Us practically identical. 



FIRST YEAR. 



Making Cuttings. The considerations which 

 should govern us in the choice and making of 

 cuttings have been given in Circular No. 26, of 

 this Station, " Selection and Preparation of Vine- 

 Cuttings." The mechanical part only is reviewed 

 here. 



The cuttings should be made from w r ell-ripened 

 canes of medium thickness and of greater or less 

 length, according to the climate and soil of the 

 vineyard in which they are to be planted. The 

 range will be from 10 to 18 inches. 



Cuttings are most conveniently made by means 

 of ordinary one-hand pruning shears. In mak- 

 ing them, the lower cut should be made just 

 below a bud, and the upper just above a bud. 

 These cuts should be made as near the bud as is 

 possible without danger of destroying or remov- 

 ing the diaphragm (see Fig. 2). 



It is best to remove the upper bud, either 

 when making the cuttings or afterwards, though this is not absolutely 

 necessary. The bud from which growth is expected is the second from 

 the top. The reason for leaving the internode above is to protect the 

 second bud and to insure its strong growth. It is for this reason that 

 the diaphragm should be left. If removed, the pith in the upper 



FIG. 1. Properly made 

 cuttings. 



