38 THE AMERICAN VINE-DRESSER'S GUIDE. 

 OF PRUNING. 



Of the various modes of dressing bestowed 

 upon the vine, that of pruning is at once the 

 most indispensable and most difficult. I 

 would urge that it be done with extreme care, 

 and not before the severe frosts have passed 

 away. 



OF PRUNING LOW VINES. 



If the vine has been planted from slips, 

 let it stand two years without j)runing ; if by 

 roots, prune it in the second year. At the 

 first pruning, but one shoot is left, and but 

 two eyes on that shoot, taking care to cut the 

 latter immediately below the third eye. The 

 instrument must be very sharp, and make a 

 clean cut. Use scissors : they are the most 

 expeditious. At the second pruning, you 

 may leave two shoots, but no more than two 

 eyes on each shoot, and always cutting just 

 under the third eye. At the third pruning, 



