THE CONFUSED IDEALS 401 



evolution of American grape training is one of 

 tlif most unique and signal developments of our 

 modern horticulture, and its very recent departure 

 from the early doubts and trials is a fresh illus- 

 tration of the youth and virility of all horticul- 

 tural pursuits in North America. 



"This development of our grape -training should 

 form the subject of a historical inquiry. I have 

 not attempted such in this little hand-book. I 

 have omitted all reference to the many early 

 methods, which were in most cases transportations 

 or modifications of European practices, for their 

 value is now chiefly historical, and their insertion 

 here would only confuse the reader. I have at- 

 tempted nothing more than a plain account of 

 the methods now in use ; in fact, I am aware that 

 1 have not accomplished even this much, for there 

 an- various methods w T hich I have not mentioned. 

 But these omitted forms are mostly of local use 

 or adaptation, and they are usually only modifi- 

 cations of the main types here explained. It is 

 impossible to describe all the variations in grape 

 training in a book of pocket size ; neither is it 

 necessary. Nearly every grower who has given 

 grape raising careful attention has introduced into 

 his own vineyard some modifications w r hich he 

 thinks are of special value to him. There are 

 various curious and instructive old books to which 

 the reader can go if he desires to know the history 

 and evolution of grape training in America. He 



