BRIGHT ON GRAPE CULTURE, 7 



Its cbief merit is, that it concentrates the entire 

 strength of the vine roots upon a small quantity of 

 young, vigorous wood, and produces larger and finer 

 bunches of grapes than can be obtained by any other 

 process. As to quantity of crop, it is equal, if not 

 superior, to any other system of culture. Indeed, it is 

 believed, that in the vineyard or elsewhere, this system 

 will produce a larger crop of grapes than can be obtain- 

 ed from the same extent of soil upon long canes, under 

 any of the ordinary methods of pruning. 



The vines grown according to this system are more 

 perfectly under control than when allowed to ramble 

 over long ranges of wire or trellises; they are more 

 easily trained and tied up, or laid down in winter ; they 

 can be kept in a more healthy and vigorous condition ; 

 and when they decline in health or fruiting capacity, 

 any entire vine may be readily renewed by layering, 

 thus producing a new set of roots near the surface of 

 the ground, without essentially interfering with the 

 general product of the vineyard. 



The common idea is, that the Isabella, Catawba, and 

 other native American vines, must be allowed to ramble 

 almost at will; it is contended that their wild, natural 

 character demands this treatment, and that any attempt 

 to cut them back severely, will injure their health and 

 fruitfulness. This idea may be correct, as applied 

 to any ©f the common methods of pruning, but it is not 

 correct when considered in relation to the method of 

 culture advocated in this work. It may be improper 



