178 AMERICAJ^ GRAPE GROWIKG 



two-thirds of the space alloted to them ; for instance, if 

 the distance between the vines in the row were 9 feet, the 

 arms would be 15 feet in length. The stakes are the 

 same as in figure 26, but instead of poles, pieces of 2 by 4- 

 inch scantling 16 inches long are nailed crosswise on the 

 top of each stake. Two wires (No. 10) rest on the cross- 

 pieces 14 inches apart, resembling the arrangement of 

 telegraph wires, and are fastened with small staples. At 

 the end of the rows the Avires are attached to iron pins 

 sunk in larger cross-pieces, which are spiked to posts ; 

 the heads of these pins are square, so tLat the wires can 

 be tightened or loosened as required, with a wrench. 



In starting a vineyard I allow the vines to grow at will 

 during the first season, keeping the ground loose and free 

 from weeds ; in the fall or early winter the vines are cut 

 back, leaving but two canes shortened to two buds each. 

 If there is but one really strong cane, it is pruned to 

 three buds, and the other shoofcs on the vine cut away al- 

 together. In the spring of the second year the stakes are 

 put in, and only three canes to each vine allowed to grow. 

 When the two stronger ones have attained a length of 

 2 feet, the weaker cane is removed, and the others care- 

 fully tied to the stake with cotton cloth. The ends of 

 these are pinched when they have reached the hight of 

 the stake (4 feet), and then whatever laterals that may 

 appear are allowed to grow unchecked. The fall-pruning 

 consists of merely cutting off the laterals. Then, or 

 early in the following spring, the trellis is completed. 



During the third season a few bunches of fruit are 

 suffered to remain on each vine, from three to six, accord- 

 ing to the strength of growth, but none whatever on weak 

 vines, and all shoots bearing fruit are pinched to three 

 joints beyond the bunches. The other shoots are removed, 

 excepting the topmost one, on each cane ; these are left 

 to grow unchecked, and, m order that they may make a 

 strong growth, not allowed to bear fruit this season. 



