WINE-MAKING IN CALIFORNIA. 173 



against late frosts, but I hope to show my readers a better 

 method under that heading. 



We will suppose our young vine to have at least one good 

 stocky cane of three to five feet long. This we cut back to 

 two feet, about half an inch above a bud, making a slanting 

 or vertical cut above the bud. (Fig. 15) shows the vine, 



FIG. 15. FIG. 16. 



the cross line indicating where to prune. (Fig. 16) shows it 

 pruned, staked and tied. For the upper tying I have found 

 annealed wire No. 16 the best, most convenient, and cheap- 

 est material. It can be used several years, is easily applied, 

 quicker than any other, as the wire is cut to the desired 

 length with a cold chisel, tied in convenient bundles, and the 

 two ends are simply hooked into each other by a quick twist 

 with the fingers. It is just as easily taken off, pulled straight, 

 and used another year; and costs ten and one-half cents per 

 pound. Care must be taken not to apply it too tight, so as 

 to allow for the growth and expansion of the vine, as it will 

 cut into the wood and bark if drawn tight. This will not 

 break through theichafing of the vines in strong winds against 

 the stakes, and is much cheaper than grape twine and better. 

 Always tie just below the upper bud, so as to keep the vine 

 firmly to its place. If tied lower, the growth above the tie 

 will cause the vine to lose its balance and lop over, there- 

 by making an ugly bend, where it is apt to break off. For 



