50 American Grape Training. 



wood. It should be said that mere size of cane 

 does not indicate its value as a fruit-bearing branch. 

 Hard, smooth wood of medium size usually gives 

 better results than the very large and softer canes 

 which are sometimes produced on soils rich in 

 nitrogenous manures. This large and overgrown 

 wood is known as a "bull cane." A cane does not 

 attain its full growth the first year, but will increase 

 in diameter during the second season. The tying 

 therefore, should, be sufficiently loose or elastic to 

 allow of growth, although it should be firm enough 

 to hold the cane constantly in place. The cane 

 should not be hung from the wire, but tied close to 

 it, provision being made for the swelling of the 

 wood to twice its diameter 



The shoots are tied to the second wire soon after 

 they pass it, or have attained firmness enough to 

 allow of tying, and the same shoots are tied again 

 to the top wire. All the shoots do not grow with 

 equal rapidity, and the vineyard must be gone over 

 more than twice if the shoots are kept properly 

 tied. Perhaps four times over the vineyard will be 

 all that is necessary for careful summer tying. 

 Many vineyardists tie only once or twice, but this 

 neglect should be discouraged. This tying is 

 mostly done with green rye straw or raffia. A piece 

 of straw about ten inches long is used for each tie, 

 it usually being wrapped but once about the shoot. 

 The knot is made with a twist and tuck. If raffia 

 is used, a common string-knot is made. When the 



