352 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



for the next season's fruit, Fig. 219 c, c, and two buds to form 

 growth, Fig. 219 a, a. If your vine has strengthened suffi- 

 ciently, the bearing canes may be left six feet long or more, 

 and a third growth-cane be provided for from a strong bud 

 near or on the main stem, Fig. 219 b. 



This simple process, by which the finest fruit is uniformly 

 produced, goes on from year to year without change, except 

 that, as the root of your vine increases in strength, you either 

 increase the number of the shoots you permit to grow, or add 

 to their length, or both. 



The only rule in the case is to proportion the fruit canes 

 you leave to the capacity of the root, in view of its strength, 

 and the extent and richness of the space from which its sup- 

 plies are to be drawn, taking care to have at least an equal 

 number of growth-canes in preparation to succeed them in 

 bearing fruit the following year. 



In many old vineyards of France and Germany the vines are 

 planted but from four to eight feet apart, and are never suffer- 

 ed to grow more than a few feet high, while in other circum- 

 stances a single vine may cover a vast area, and bear annually 

 hundreds of pounds of fruit. In general, it will be found bet- 

 ter, if otherwise suitable, to limit the number of bearing canes 

 and increase their length, not only on account of the easier 

 tending and beauty of display which it permits, but also be- 

 cause the finer fruit is commonly produced from canes of supe- 

 rior strength. 



SUMMER PRUNING. 



The summer pruning of the grape-vine should be begun at 

 the first appearance of the young leaf, all the pushing buds 

 that are not wanted being carefully broken off, permitting only 

 a single shoot to grow from each joint. Just before the blos- 

 soms open, remove all bunches that are small and weak, or in 

 excess, proportioning in the process the probable quantity of 

 fruit to the strength of the particular cane on which it is to 

 be borne, and the total quantity to the strength of the vine. 

 Suppress all weak, or irregular, or superfluous after-growth, 

 whether from the stem or main canes of the vine, limiting ab- 



