198 FRUIT-GROWING 



statement it follows that vines of different va- 

 rieties will not be the same in size. Some sorts 

 have long distances between the nodes, and the 

 plants of such varieties are so long that they are 

 planted with difficulty. Instead of planting 

 them with the main trunk straight up and down, 

 we made long holes and installed the plants in 

 an inclined position, trying, of course, to get the 

 bottom end as deep in the ground as possible. 



There have been a number of books written 

 around the general subject of grape pruning. 

 It has been one of those tempting, controversial 

 affairs that horticulturists have enjoyed mull- 

 ing over. Some of the systems advocated 

 remind me of automobile literature, as many of 

 the features described are of value chiefly as 

 "talking points." As a matter of fact almost 

 any system of pruning will result in some fruit 

 — just as will no system at all. After a vine 

 gets a good start it is difficult to do anything to 

 it that will keep it from bearing some fruit — 

 although there are certain insects and diseases 

 that seem to be able to accomplish this result 

 with very little effort. I recall one time that 

 I was consulted by a man who had just pur- 

 chased an old farm. Around the house, cover- 

 ing the fences, were some neglected vines — a 

 great tangle of them. My advice was wanted as 

 to the best method of pruning them. The job 

 looked absolutely hopeless and I advised cut- 



