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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT STATION. 



too long, a heavy wind is very liable to break off the whole shoot. A 

 piece of string tied rather loosely about the middle of the shoot is all 

 that is needed. If the vines are to be headed high (18 inches) another 

 tie near the top of the stake may be necessary later. 



For vines which are making only a moderate growth this is all the 

 treatment needed during the summer. Strong-growing vines in rich 

 soil, however, should be topped. 



Topping. The object of this topping is to force the shoot to send out 

 laterals at the right height above the surface of the soil, to be used as 



FIG. 5. Treatment oi average vine during the third season, or of a vigorous vine during the second. 



a. Vine pruned to one cane and tied to stake. 



b. Removal of suckers (S) and lower shoots (W) in spring. 



c. Vine in summer at time of pinching. 



spurs during the following year. This topping is an operation which 

 requires a good deal of judgment. If the topping is done too soon, 

 laterals will not start, but a new terminal shoot will be formed. This 

 is not a serious defect, however, but simply necessitates a second top- 

 ping two or three weeks later. Neither will the laterals start if the 

 topping is done too late, or if they start they will not mature, and the 

 vine is weakened by the removal of foliage without any compensating 

 advantage. 



Until experience has shown the proper time for the variety and 

 locality, it is best to top when the shoot has grown to from 8 to 12 

 inches above the top of the stake, and if necessary top again later. 



