REPORT OP COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION 95 



large enough, and at the same time all remaining growth should be removed. 

 This should be done as soon as the new growth gets long enough to reach the 

 top wire of the trellis. 

 When to Prune: 



The heavy annual pruning necessary to regulate the fruit of vines should 

 be done during the dormant season. Plants that require winter protection 

 need to be pruned as soon as they become dormant. Hardy vines can be 

 pruned at any time during the dormant season when the wood is not frozen. 

 It is advisable, however, to prune before February in this region as late 

 pruning frequently results in bleeding and serious weakening of the plants. 



Summer pruning to diminish shade and hasten maturity of the fruit 

 appears to be necessary with Viniferas on account of their vigorous growth. 

 The usual practice is to remove all suckers and the ends of bearing canes 

 beyond the last bunches of fruit. Summer pruning should be carefully done 

 to not expose the fruit as sunscald might result. No definite system is 

 adopted for this work, nor is its effect upon growth and production at all 

 well understood. 



Winter Protection of Vines. 



The tender Viniferas, not being capable of withstanding low tempera- 

 tures, require covering to guard against injury or loss during the winter. 

 Not all varieties are affected by the same temperature, but as all suffer in 

 occasional seasons, covering becomes necessary. 



Some of the so-called American varieties, which are crosses between 

 American and Vinifera parents, although more hardy than the latter, suffer 

 from freezing in cold districts and might be injured here in times of ex- 

 tremely low temperature. 



A series of experiments has been carried out to determine the most 

 effective method and best material to use for covering grape vines. The 

 vines should be pruned and laid down, or pruned back close to the ground 

 before covering. Vineyard soil is preferable to straw or litter to cover plants 

 with, and can be put on to the plants with a plow or shovel. When the 

 plants are properly prepared they can be readily covered by running a twelve 

 or fourteen-inch plow along each side of the row and throwing the soil on to 

 the vines. It will be necessary to complete the operation with a shovel, as 

 thorough covering cannot be done with a plow. Plants pruned to the short 

 system frequently stand ten to sixteen inches above the ground and necessi- 

 tate the handling of considerable soil to completely cover them. 



If exposed to the wind the covering is liable to be blown off and should 

 be protected by a light covering of straw or litter. 



There are two objections to the use of straw for covering grape vines. 

 Materials of this character furnish agreeable quarters for rodents which 

 frequently injure the vines by gnawing at the body or roots. It frequently 

 begins to decay in early spring and heats before the proper time for it to be 

 removed. Covering materials upon heating cause the buds and wood to be 

 killed or badly weakened. 



Grape vines should be uncovered when danger of frost is past. Plants 

 covered with soil are frequently left in place and the new growth allowed to 

 come through it. The liability of late frosts renders uncovering hazardous 

 before growth begins, and to leave the plant covered causes new growth to 



