64 AMERICAI^ GRAPE GROWIKG 



conductor and elaborator of sap to the young bunch op. 

 posite, and shading that when it becomes fully devel- 

 oped. The canes from the spurs, which we left un- 

 checked at first pinching, and which we design to bear 

 fruit the next season, may now also be stopped or pinched 

 when they are about 3 feet long, to start their laterals 

 into stronger growth. Pinch off all the tendrils unless 

 where they serve as supports to the young growth. Tliis 

 is a very busy time for the vine dresser, and upon his 

 close attention and diligence now, depends, in a great 

 measure, the value of his crop. A vast deal of labor can 

 be saved by doing everything at its proper time. 



This is about all that is necessary for this summer, ex- 

 cept tying the young growth along the top wires, and 

 an occasional tying of a fruit-bearing branch, if it should 

 become too heavy. The majority of the branches will, 

 however, be able to bear their fruit without tying, and 

 the young growth which may yet be made from the 

 laterals may be left unchecked, as it will serve to shade 

 the fruit when ripening. This short and early pinching 

 is also a partial preventive of mildew and rot, as it ad- 

 mits light and air to all parts of the vine. But I cannot 

 caution too strongly against late cutting back, one of the 

 first causes of disease, and ruinous to the vine, as the de- 

 foliation of the vine in August disturbs and violates all 

 its functions, and enfeebles it. 



The reader will perceive that fall pruning, or shorten- 

 ing-in the ripe wood of the vine, and summer-pruning, 

 shortening-in and thinning the young growth, have one 

 and the same object in view, namely, to keep the vine with- 

 in proper bounds, and to concentrate all its energies for a 

 two-fold object, the production and ripening of the most 

 perfect fruit, and the production of strong and healthy 

 wood for next season's crop. Both operations are only dif- 

 ferent parts of the same system, of which summer-pruning 

 is the preparatory, and fall-pruning the finishing part, 



