ON THE TRAINING OF VINES. 89 



has been acciimulated, and highly elaborated by slow- 

 ness of growth, in combination with full exposure to 

 the sun's rays. 



Sufficient has now been said to show the principles 

 by which the training of the summer shoots of a vine, 

 that are reserved as future bearers, must be regulated 

 throughout the season. They are simple, and of easy 

 practical application ; and it is evident, that, by con- 

 forming to them, abundant crops of grapes are always 

 at the command of the cultivator. 



Ample details of the routine of summer training 

 being given in the Calendarial Register, it only re- 

 mains, in closing this chapter, to say a few words in 

 reference to the iiailmg of the shoots to the wall. 

 Linen or cotton shreds are the best that can be used 

 for this purpose, woolen ones being too thick, and 

 also too retentive of moisture. But if woolen shreds 

 be used, those cut from old cloth, are better than 

 those from new, as the latter abound with oil, and 

 are, therefore, pernicious, especially to the summer 

 shoots. 



Strength, thinness, and openness of texture, are 

 qualities necessary to form a good shred, and these 

 will be found combined in a much greater degree in 

 linen or cotton fabrics, than in those made of wool. 

 The shreds should be from three quarters of an inch, 

 to an inch and a half in breadth, according to the size 

 of the shoot to be nailed, and they should be cut suffi- 

 ciently long to admit of space being left for the shoots 

 freely to swell in, after they are encircled by the 

 shreds. It must not be forgotten, that the covering of 

 portions of the branches with shreds, and thereby 

 preventing them from receiving the benefit of the sun 

 and air, is, to a certain extent, a direct injury to the 

 vegetation of the vine, and is only resorted to because 

 there are no other means by which the branches can 

 be confined in their position on the wall, so as to re- 

 ceive the benefit of its warmth by close contact. 

 Bearing this in mind, therefore, care should be taken 

 8=^ 



