98 ON THE TRAINING OF VINES. 



mulated, and highly elaborated by slowness of growth, 

 in combination with full exposure to the sun's rays. 



Sufficient has now been said to show the principles 

 by which the training of the summer shoots of a vine, 

 that are reserved as future bearers, must be regulated 

 throughout the season. They are simple, and of easy 

 practical application ; and it is evident that, by con- 

 forming to them, abundant crops of grapes are always 

 at the command of the cultivator. 



Ample details of the routine of summer training be- 

 ing given in the Calendarial Register, it only remains, 

 in closing this chapter, to say a few words in reference 

 to the nailing of the shoots to the wall. Linen or cot- 

 ton shreds are the best that can be used for this purpose, 

 woollen ones being too thick, and also too retentive of 

 moisture. But if woollen shreds be used, those cut 

 from old cloth are better than those from new, as the 

 latter abound with oil, and are, therefore, pernicious, 

 especially to the summer shoots. 



Strength, thinness, and openness of texture, are 

 qualities necessary to form a good shred, and these 

 will be found combined in a much greater degree in 

 linen or cotton fabrics, than in those made of wool. 

 The shreds should be from three quarters of an inch to 

 an inch and a half in breadth, according to the size of 

 the shoot to be nailed, and they should be cut sufficiently 

 long, to admit of space enough being left for the shoots 

 freely to swell in, after they are encircled by the 

 shreds. It must not be forgotten, that the covering of 

 portions of the branches with shreds, and thereby pre- 

 venting them from receiving the benefit of the sun and 

 air, is, to a certain extent, a direct injury to the vege- 

 tation of the vine, and is only resorted to because there 

 are no other means by which the branches can be con- 

 fined in their position on the wall, so as to receive the 



