92 



AMERICAK GRAPE GROWIis^G 



which is intended for a spur again next fall, we pinch 

 with thumb and finger, just beyond the last bunch or 

 button, taking out the leader between the last bunch and 

 the next leaf, as shown in figure 20, the cross line indicat- 

 ing where the leader is to be pinched. We now rub off 

 all the shoots between the lower spur and the next lateral 

 cane, should any appear, as they generally produce im- 

 perfect fruit and are quite too near the ground. Xext 

 take the spur on the cane, treating it precisely like the 

 lower one, leaving the strongest shoot unchecked for a 

 bearing cane next year, and pinching the other. Now go 

 over all the shoots on the lateral 

 canes, shortening each one to just 

 above the last promising looking 

 bunch. If a bud has started 

 two, or even three shoots, rub off 

 the weaker, leaving but one and 

 the strongest, and if any bud has 

 not started vigorously, rub it off 

 altogether. Go over the other 

 cane in the same manner, and if 

 you think there are still too many 

 bunches, take away the smallest. 

 A vine in its third season, how- 

 ever strong it may be, should not 

 be allowed to bear over 15 lbs. of grapes, and if allowed 

 thirty to forty bunches it will have that quantity, jDro- 

 vided it is not a variety which bears but small bunches. 

 Now is the time to thin the fruit, before it has abstracted 

 any strength from the \dne. If any shoots are not suf- 

 ficiently developed to show their condition, we .pass them 

 by, and go over the vine again after a few days. 



This early pinching of the young shoots has the ten- 

 dency to throw all the vigor into the development of the 

 young bunches and the leaves remaining on the shoot, 

 which now develop with astonishing rapidity. It is a 



Fig. 20.— PINCHING. 



