Pruning. 1 1 



amongst the best grape growers concerning the ad- 

 vantages of different systems of training is proof 

 that many systems have merit, and that no one. 

 system is better than others for all purposes. The 

 grower must recognize the fact that the most im- 

 portant factor in determining the merits of any 

 system of training is the habit of the vine as its 

 vigor, rate of growth, normal size, relative size and 

 abundance of leaves, and season and character of 

 fruit. Nearly every variety differs from others in 

 habit in some particular, and it therefore requires 

 different treatment in some important detail. Varie- 

 ties may thrive equally well upon the same general 

 system of training, but require minor modifications; 

 so it comes that no hard and fast lines can be laid 

 down, either for any system or any variety. One sys- 

 tem differs from another in some one main principle 

 or idea, but the modifications of all may meet and 

 blend. If two men practice the Kniffin system, 

 therefore, this fact does not indicate that they 

 prune and train their vines exactly alike. It is im- 

 possible to construct rules for grape training; it is, 

 therefore, important that we understand thoroughly 

 the philosophy of pruning and training, both in 

 general and in the different systems which are now 

 most popular. These points we shall now con- 

 sider. 



PRUNING. 



Pruning and training are terms which are often 

 confounded when speaking of the grape, but they 



