BULLETIN 193. PRUNING AND TRAINING OF YOUNG VINES. 149 



The kind of stake used will depend on the variety of vine and on the 

 method of pruning to be ultimately adopted. For ordinary short- 

 pruning, the stake should be of such length that, after being driven into 

 the ground, sufficient will be below the surface to keep it firm and prevent 

 its being loosened by the force of the wind acting on the vine which is 

 tied to it, and sufficient above the surface to extend 1 or 2 inches above 

 the height at w r hich it is intended to head the vines. It should be from 

 l^r to 1^ inches square, according to its length. 



In firm ground, for small-growing vines such as Zinfandel, a stake 

 li by 1^ inches and 27 inches long will be sufficient. This will allow 

 15 inches to be driven into -the ground and leave 12 inches above, 

 which is enough for vines to be headed at 10 inches. If the ground is 

 loose or sandy a 30-inch stake driven 18 inches into the ground will be 

 ' needed. For strong-growing varieties, such as Carignane or Tokay? 

 especially when planted in rich soil, a stake 1^ by 1^ inches and 36 

 inches long will be necessary, and 15 or 18 inches of this should be left 

 above the ground. This will permit the heading of the vines at 15 

 inches. 



If the vines are to be trellised with one wire, a 36-inch stake driven 

 18 inches into the ground is the proper length. If two wires are to be 

 used, a 48-inch stake will be needed, leaving 30 inches above the 

 surface. 



If the vines are to be pruned long and the canes tied to the stake, a 

 5-foot stake will usualty be needed, and this must be stronger, 2 by 2 

 inches square. This stake should be driven 2 feet into the ground. 



These dimensions are all smaller than are usual in California, but 

 are quite sufficient for all practical purposes. The stake should be 

 placed 1 to 2 inches from the vine on the side opposite to the prevailing 

 heavy winds. The force of the wind will thus keep the vine pressed 

 against the stake and the tying material is less liable to break. 



First Winter Pruning. In California, the young vines may be pruned 

 at any time after the leaves have fallen, except in sections very subject 

 to spring frosts, where it is sometimes advisable to defer the pruning 

 until after the top buds of the canes start. 



The way the vines are to be pruned will depend altogether on the 

 growth they have made. If the growth has been small the tops are 

 pruned exactly like rooted vines before planting. All the canes are 

 removed entirely, except the strongest, and this is cut back to two buds, 

 as in Fig. 3, C, D (see Fig. 4, a). 



Any vines which have made a strong growth and possess at least one 

 cane of which a sufficient length is well ripened may be pruned for 

 tying up. All the canes are removed entirely, except the strongest, and 

 this is cut back to 10, 15, or 18 inches, according to the height at which 

 it is intended to head the vine (see Fig. 5, a). The top cut is made 



