CAKE OF OLD VINES. 241 



CHAPTER XIY. 



CAKE OF OLD VINES. 



There are scattered through the country numerous 

 old vines of large growth and great age, which have 

 been trained upon trellises, through trees, against the 

 sides of houses and on arbors, without much skill or 

 attention. These well deserve good culture, and the 

 owners would gladly bestow it if they knew how. 

 For their benefit, a few hints in this direction may 

 not be out of place. 



Such vines have in general either been left entirely 

 to themselves, or trained wholly on the long-spur 

 system, no new wood except these spurs being kept 

 from last year's growth to supply the wants of next 

 year,* and the strength has thus been thrown to the 

 ends of the stems, leaving them barren for a great 

 distance from their base. 



Yines in this condition, if of good origin, may, by 

 judicious management, be speedily made to bear 

 large crops of excellent fruit, as their roots are large 

 and powerful, and fully competent to supply nutri- 

 ment to a large crop of grapes. 



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