230 



POPULAR FRUIT GROWING. 



training is adopted, the care of the vine for the first two years 

 should be about the same. 



The first year no support or pruning is needed. The vines 

 will ripen their wood as well on the surface of the ground as 

 if tied to stakes, but it will be more convenient about cultivat- 

 ing if they are staked. Late in the autumn of this year, all of 

 the vines should be cut away except three or four buds as shown 

 in fig. 107, unless the wood is exceedingly firm and ripe, in which 

 case it may be practical to start forming the vine the first 

 year. The vine should be covered with a mound of earth four 

 or five inches deep. Later on, before severe weather sets in, it 

 is a good plan in the more northern states to apply a covering 

 of mulch two or three inches in depth, of straw or litter of some 

 sort. This mulching is absolutely necessary to insure the winter- 

 ing of newly transplanted vines. 



Trellis. The following spring, a trellis should be built un- 

 less stakes were set the 

 first year, when they may 

 be used again and the 

 work of putting up a trel- 

 lis be deferred until the 

 opening of the third year. 

 The most desirable kinds 

 to use will depend upon 

 the method of training fol- 

 lowed. 



Spur is a term used to 

 indicate the short stubs of 

 the lateral canes that re- 

 main on the main cane 

 after pruning, from which 



the new growth starts. It is generally desirable to keep the 

 spurs as short as possible. 



Systems of Training and Pruning the Grape. 

 There are two fundamental systems used in training the 

 grape, which underlie all methods in common use. In one sys- 

 tem the shoots are trained upward from the cane. This is call- 

 ed the upright system and embraces a large number of methods. 

 In the other, or drooping system, the shoots are allowed to hang 



Fig. 108. Spur of a Grape Vine. 



