THE GRAPE. 47 



some large, successful growers do not pinch at all, though it is 

 probably a mistake not to pinch once, if this system of pruning is 

 followed. 



If the vine is thrifty it will bear several pounds of fruit this 

 year. As soon as convenient after gathering the ripe fruit the 

 vines may be pruned. It is'not necessary to wait for a frost to kill 

 the leaves, and it will not do any harm to bury with some of the 

 leaves on the vine. In this region the time of pruning is between 

 the middle of October and tenth of November. Where one has but 

 few vines it is best to wait until there is danger of the ground 

 freezing hard before laying them down, but in large vineyards it is 

 not practicable to wait so late, and the work must commence ear- 

 lier. In pruning the third fall, first select a cane near the extrem- 

 ity of the main cane and cut it off at a length sufficient to reach the 





FIG. 34. Vine in spring of the fourth season. 



next vine on the trellis. This cane must be tied to the lower wire 

 the following (or fourth) spring, and will complete the permanent 

 main cane (see Fig. 34). The rest of the pruning this fall will con- 

 sist of cutting back to from three to six buds the other shoots that 

 have grown from the main cane. Any small side branches that 

 may remain should be cut off, and the vine when ready to lay down 

 should resemble Fig. 35, which shows it properly tied to the trellis 

 the following spring. In pruning do not cut nearer than within 

 one inch of any bud, to avoid winter killing. Bury as directed. 



Spur is a term used to indicate the short stubs of the laterals 

 that remain on the main cane in this and following years after prun- 

 ing. From these spurs come the new growth and fruit each sea- 

 son. It is desirable to keep them as short as possible, but with 

 some varieties it will be found difficult to keep them very 'short; 



