216 AMERICAN GRAPE GROWING 



STOOL OB GOBLET PRUNING. 



This mode of pruning is calculated to make of each 

 vine a small tree or bush, and as soon as the trunk or 

 stem becomes strong enough to be self-supporting, the 

 stakes may be removed to other plantations. Let us 

 suppose these strong branches are grown from the three 

 uppermost buds and in three different directions if four 

 and sufficiently strong, so much the better. Each of 

 these is cut back to two buds, and after pruning, the 

 vine is tied firmly to the stake. For this purpose, No. 

 16 annealed wire answers admirably. Cut it into proper 

 lengths with shears or cold chisel, make a hook on 

 each end, then pass it around the vine and hook 

 the ends together, allowing space enough for the 

 natural expansion by growth. When no longer needed 

 they can be removed, and in other places used again and 

 again. Pruning may be done at any time in the winter 

 after the leaves have fallen. The vine ha,s now six or 

 eight buds, from which will grow six or eight branches, 

 diverging from the main head in all directions, but hav- 

 ing the center open in the shape of a goblet. Each of 

 these branches will bear from two to three clusters of 

 fruit, according to the character of the vine, which will 

 give us from twelve to twenty-four bunches. The 

 branches or shoots are not tied up, but allowed to droop. 

 The main point is to get the vine well balanced and open 

 to sun and air. 



The next winter the vine has the double number of 

 shoots or branches. It would tax too heavily the vine's 

 bearing powers to cut these back to as many spurs of 

 two buds each, unless it should be very strong. There- 

 fore, cut the upper shoot or branch on each original 

 spur entirely away, at or just above the bunch closest to 

 the head, and cut this back to two buds, always having 

 in view the proposed shape and balance of the head. 

 This eort of pruning is followed every year, with varia- 



