APPENDIX. 



129 



foliage. Mr. Munson describes his method of training as follows : 

 "■After the vines have flowered the bearing laterals have their 

 tips pinched off, and that is all the summer pruning the vine gets, 

 except to rub off all eyes that start on the body below the crotch. 

 Two to four shoots, according to strength of vines, are started 

 from the forks or crotch and allowed to bear no fruit, but ane 

 trained along over the lower central wire for renewal canes. 

 When pruning time arrives the entire bearing cane of the present 

 year, with all its laterals, is cut away at the point near where the 

 young renewal shoots have started, and these shoots are shortened 

 back, according to strength of vine. Some, such as Herbemont, 

 being able at four years to fill four shoots six or eight feet long 

 with fine fruit, while Delaware could not well carry over three or 

 four feet each way of one shoot only. The different varieties are 

 set at various distances apart, according as they are strong or 

 weak growers. 



'Thus the trellis and system of pruning are reduced to the 

 simplest form. A few cuts to each vine cover all the pruning, and 

 a few ties complete the task. A novice can soon learn to do the 

 work well. The trunk or main stem is secured to the middle lower 



Fig. 106.—JIunson Training. Side View. 



wire, along which all bearing canes are tied after pruning, and 

 from which the young laterals which produce tlie crop are to 

 spring. These laterals strike the two outer wires, soon clinging to 

 them with their tendrils, and are safe from destruction, while the 

 fruit is grown in the best possible position for spraying and gath- 

 ering, and is still shaded with the canopy of leaves. I have now 

 used this trellis five years upon ten acres of mixed vines, and I am 

 more pleased with it every year. The following advantages are 

 secured by this system : 



"First — The mutual habit of the vine is maintained, which is a 

 canopy to shade the roots and body of vine and the fruit without 

 smothering. 



"Second — New wood, formed by sap which has never passed 

 through bearing wood, is secured for the next crop — a very impor- 

 tant matter. 



"Third— Simplicity and convenience of trellis, allowing free 

 passage in any direction through the vineyard ; circulation of air 

 without danger of breaking tender shoots ; ease of pruning, spray- 

 ing, cultivation, harvesting. 



"Fourth — Perfect control in pruning off amount of crop to suit 

 capacity of vine. 



