130 OPEN AIE GKAPE CULTURE. 



SO directed to the weaker ones tliat no difficulty of 

 this ivind need occur. 



II. In this connection, we may consider a rule — 

 which is laid down as a jprincijple^ however, by most 

 arboricultural authorities — the buds are developed 

 with greater vigor upon a brancli which is cut short, 

 than upon one which is left long. ^ 



This is true, but must be accepted with limitations. 

 If there be two shoots springing from the same stem, 

 one being pruned short and the other long, the buds 

 on the long branch will be developed with the great- 

 est vigor. If, however, the shoots be upon different 

 stems, the buds upon that which is pruned most 

 closely will push most strongly. 



This we might anticipate, from the fact that there 

 is more root power (if we may use the expression) to 

 a given number of buds. But experiment would lead 

 us to believe that- if the lower buds are removed so 

 that the same number of eyes are left on both, tlie 

 longest would have the advantage — at least at first. 



But as sap moves with greater difficulty through 

 old than through young wood, the shortest shoot soon 

 overtakes its companion and outstrips it. This prin- 

 ciple is well exemplified in tlie rampant growth of 

 those suckers which spring from old vines near the 

 ground. They will frequently grow twenty or thirty 

 feet in a season, while the strongest shoots at the 



