126 GENERAL AUTUMNAL PRUNING. 



the management of it, as could be obtained if the 

 previous course of culture had been continued. There 

 is no other way, indeed, of renovating a vine than 

 this, for no method of pruning that can be adopted 

 will ever get rid of the old blank wood, and procure 

 in its stead a proper supply of bearing-wood within a 

 reasonable distance of the stem. Vines that are cut 

 down in this manner will frequently produce in the 

 following summer very fine bearing-shoots upwards 

 of forty feet long. 



When it is deemed advisable, therefore, to renew 

 the branches of a vine by thus cutting it down, the 

 best time to perform the operation is the latter part of 

 the month of November. If the stem be short, cut 

 it off about five inches above the ground, but if it be 

 long, leave it of such a height as it is intended to 

 train the future bearing- wood to; remembering, that 

 whatever portion of the naked stem be left, the shoots 

 will in general be emitted from the upper part oi it. 

 As soon as the vine is cut off, sear the wound well 

 with a hot iron, and then seal the surface of it over 

 with sealing-wax, in order to prevent the sap at its 

 rising from bursting through. 



In the following spring a great number of buds 

 will push, near the top of the stump, and these being 

 allowed to swell sufficiently to show their relative 

 strength, as many of the strongest as are required 

 should be selected to remain, and all the rest rubbed 

 off. The shoots being carefully trained throughout 

 the summer, will present in the autumn an abundant 

 choice for future bearers. 



DIRECTIONS FOR THE AUTUMNAL PRUNING. 



1st. Every nail must be drawn from the wall, 

 and every shred taken off the branches. This will 

 give the vine great relief the shreds having through- 

 out the summer kept those parts of the branches 



