Grape Culture. 23 



out all tendrils. The adjoining illustration will give a good 

 idea of how to do the pinching. This stopping causes basal 

 buds to become plump. But it also directs the flow of sap to 

 the bunch ; and the pinching has the effect of causing good 

 bunches on good, young wood next year. Stopping of these 

 shoots, as in illustration, does not check the growth of the vine 

 in the least. It is a great mistake to allow the shoots to grow 

 and then have to resort to the knife. After this pinching of 

 the shoots, other shoots will start from the axils of the leaves. 

 These are termed sub-laterals, and should be pinched to a leaf. 

 Rub out all shoots afterwards throughout the season. I 

 believe Muscats are the better coloured if allowed a little more 

 freedom of growth. The leading shoot is allowed to grow 

 its entire length after the first pinching. Should lateral shoots 

 break, pinch them at first leaf ; or if plenty of room, they may 

 be allowed to develop, only never crowd your shoots. Care 

 must also be taken that all pinching is done before the first 

 appearance of colouring, as any thinning out of laterals then 

 as is often done results in shanking, which is to be guarded 

 against. It is better to leave any such until after the grapes 

 are ripe. 



Many shoots show two bunches ; as soon as it can be 

 ascertained which is the better, pinch out the other. 



TYING DOWN THE SHOOTS. 



The vine naturally grows upwards towards the light, and 

 tying the shoots down to their proper position on the trellis 

 requires great care and patience. 



As a rule never attempt to get your shoots down all the way 

 at the first tying. Be cautious and go over them every second 

 day until you have them into their right position. It does not 

 matter much which side of the wire the shoots are tied to. 

 If tying is done hurriedly, the shoots will be broken as a result, 

 as they come out of their sockets very easily at this stage. If 

 you wait until the shoots get woody, they can be tied down with 

 very little breakage. The temperature at this stage will range 

 from 60 to 65 by night, with the usual 15 higher by day. 



