RENEWAL SYSTEMS. 3:33 



" In the succeeding, and all subsequent years, cut 

 away the old bearing wood, and form the new bow, 

 or arch, from the best branch of the new wood of 

 the last year, leaving a spur as before to produce 

 bearing wood for the coming season, thus keeping 

 the old stalk of the vine down to within eighteen to 

 twenty inches of the ground. The vine is thus 

 within reach and control." 



Some grape-growers prune according to a renewal 

 system, in which only two canes are used. Thus 

 while the cane at the right is bearing a crop, that 

 on the left has been growing to take 

 its place the next year ; when the 

 former will be cut to one bud, and 

 make a new cane for the alternate 

 year. Those who practise this urge 

 that strong buds are formed, which 

 produce the finest fruit, and although this may be, 

 and is, true to some extent, yet, as Mr. Charlton 

 has said in his work upon the vine, the cutting off 

 such a large proportion, and leaving so little per- 

 ennial, structural base is of very doubtful economy. 

 It must keep the plant in constant excitement, 

 which is likely to result in disease and premature 

 debility. 



The following is the same principle applied in a 

 more complex form. The first year the central 

 cane was allowed to grow to half its present height. 

 Upon that is produced fruit the second year, while 



