ii42 OPE^ AIK GKAPE CULTURE. 



If the stems are tolerably well supplied with bearing 

 spurs, it may be advisable to take good care of such 

 of these as we can find, and where there is a barren 

 spot, to train a young shoot over it from the nearest 

 bearing spur. Upon this young shoot spurs may soon 

 be made, which wdll bear admirably. 



But, in almost all cases, the better plan will be to 

 gradually renew the whole vine, as strong, vigorous 

 shoots, vvlien once laid in for main branches and well 

 supplied with bearing spurs or canes, will last for a 

 long time and give satisfactory results with far less 

 labor than is required by an old and straggling vine. 



This change had better be effected gradually, a 

 portion of the old wood being retained until the 

 young shoots come into bearing, so that we need not 

 be entirely deprived of fruit during its progress. 



Commence, then, at the spring or winter pruning, 

 and remove all the wood that can be well spared, 

 keeping only a few of the best main branches, and 

 cutting the spurs on these very close, leaving not 

 more than one eye to each. 



This severe pruning will cause the vine to throw 

 up numerous strong shoots, or suckers, from near the 

 loots. Two or three of tlie best of these must be 

 selected and trained to stakes, away from the trellis 

 or arbor, so as to give them all the light and air pos- 

 sible ; the laterals which start from these must be 



