88 ON THE PRUNING OF VINES. 



the terminal bud, and let the cut be on the opposite 

 side of the bud. 



3d. Prune so as to leave as few wounds as possible, 

 and let the surface of every cut be perfectly smooth. 



4th. In cutting out an old branch, prune it even 

 with the parent limb, that the wound may quickly 

 heal. 



5th. Prune so as to obtain the quantity of fruit de- 

 sired, on the smallest number of snoots possible. 



6th. Never prune in frosty weather, nor when a 

 frost is expected. 



7th. Never prune in the months of March, April, 

 or May. Pruning in either of these months causes 

 bleeding, and occasions thereby a wasteful and an 

 injurious expenditure of sap. 



8th. Let the general autumnal pruning take place 

 as soon after the first of October as the gathering of 

 the fruit will permit. 



Lastly, use a pruning-knife of the best description, 

 and let it be, if possible, as sharp as a razor. 





