F. RUBENS UPON THE VINE AND ITS TREATMENT. 311 



most in use, as it will afford more room, and is best adapted for 

 vines which grow much wood. 



Training of Vines ivith low Boughs and Layers. 



This mode is excellent, as it can be introduced into any vine- 

 yard without any preparatory work. Grape-vines treated after 

 this mode produce not only more and better grapes, but, at the 

 same time, young rooted vines, which might serve for planting of 

 new ground. The method is plain, and the following will illus- 

 trate it : After the gathering of grapes, the vines are pruned in 

 such manner that the two finest branches are exempted and se- 

 lected for layers ; the rest of the good and bearing branches are 

 pruned down to two buds. The two branches are bent down in 

 a half circle, and the ends of the same are placed from six to eight 

 inches deep in the ground. It is well to have one layer toward 

 the west and the other toward the east, to give them all possible 

 influence of the noon sun. During the next spring these layers 

 will grow beautiful roots, and are able to support jDart of the 

 grapes on this layer. 



The grapes grown on these layers will distinguish themselves 



through their quality and size, which can be easily accounted for, 



as they receive nourishment from two sources — first from the old 



Pj„ ^5 vines, and secondly from the roots of 



the layer. 



After the gathering of grapes, the lay- 

 ers are cut off close from the old wood 

 of the vine, and may then be taken out 

 of the ground and replanted, or remain 

 on the place to be substituted for old 

 vines or vacant places. The other 

 shoots are treated in the same manner 

 as mentioned before. Fig. 15 will serve 

 for an illustration. 



III. 



CARE OF A BEARING VINEYARD. 



Young vineyards may, in the first two or three years, be used 

 for raising vegetables, but it must not be neglected to keep each 

 vine free from influence of weeds. In old vineyards nothing is 

 to be allowed to grow besides vines. Even the turning rows 

 should be kept free of weeds and grass. Fruit-trees are very inju- 

 rious to the vines, as they will stint them of nourishment, sun, air, 

 and light, and so retard the development of the grapes. 



