WINE-MAKING IN CALIFORNIA. 207 



showing abundance of fruit forms, except those shoots which 

 we thought had been injured but slightly. These attempted 

 to bloom, but as we had a few days of hot north wind just at 

 that time, they dropped nearly all their bloom. At the 

 present writing (August 15), the vines that were entirely 

 frosted show a nice crop of about 3 tons to the acre, of finely 

 set and developed bunches and berries, while those only par- 

 tially frosted are not near so good, with the exception of the 

 Pedro Ximenes and Mataro, which show a good crop from 

 first growth. The vines have made an enormous growth, 

 were pinched when the young shoots were 18 inches long, 

 and are now interlaced with each other, so that it is difficult 

 to get through between. 



The conclusions to be drawn from this are very simple. 

 When there is any danger from frost, we should prune to 

 double the amount of buds, to be safe. If no frost comes, 

 we can easily rub out all weak and superfluous shoots, reduc- 

 ing them to one half the number. This will give them all 

 more room and air, and it is certainly easier to rub off a super- 

 fluous shoot, than to add to those which nature has alotted. 

 Pruning is rather a perversion of nature any way; and when 

 we overstep the bounds of reason, when we infringe her laws 

 by mutilating, instead of only reducing to such limits as will 

 give us the most perfect fruit, outraged nature will rebel and 

 punish us in time. 



Mr. John H. Wheeler, our present chief viticultural officer, 

 has experimented in the same direction, and as he tells me, 

 with favorable results similar to mine. The difference in his 

 treatment from mine only consists in his leaving still longer 

 canes, and not so many spurs. 



After this season's experience, perhaps one of the worst we 

 have had, in its sudden changes from low temperature to 

 scorching north winds, I have little fears of raising a satisfac- 

 tory crop every season, even after destructive frosts. Still, I 



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