23 



PLATE No. 2, OR THOMEEY. 



Tlie disposition of vines is strongly upward, and also to leave the things that are be- 

 hind or below; and vines, under ordinary circumstances, will not continue to make 

 beitring-wood for a succession of seasons through a greater perpendicular height than 

 four feet, and even in this little scale the upper portions will show the most vigor (A 

 growth, and the lower the best flavor of fruit, but not the largest or most beautiful 

 bunches. In view of these facts, a plan waa devised by which a trellis of any desirable 

 dimensions might be uniformly covered with wood and fruit under the circumstances 

 that would enable the vine to bear the greatest amount and of the best quality, and 

 continue in perfect health indefinitely. This can be done only by balancing nicely all 

 of the tendencies of the vine. Due accommodation must be provided for the roots, and 

 they must be made comfortable and patient under a very unnatural restriction. The 

 bi-anches also must not only be restricted within certain limits, but the natural dispo- 

 tlon to leave their boundary restrained. 



This can only be accomplished by beginning in reference to the end while the vine 

 is very young, or rather with its beginning. The direct end to 'be aimed at we will 

 suppose to be the covering a trellis, like that represented in the plate, with bearing- 

 wood that will produce a crop of fruit like that shown at 4, (see plate.) This plan 

 was devised more than one hundred and fifty years since, and its operation has been 

 unexceptionable. Various modifications to suit particular circumstances have been 

 adopted, but no improvement has been made upon the general plan. Instead of allow- 

 ing a difference of four feet of elevation for the bearing district of each vine, the bear- 

 ing-wood is all taken from the same elevation. 



At one end of the trellis is seen a strong post, around which wires are fastened. 

 To keep the post upright it must be braced, but the bracing is not shown. At the other 

 end little portions of wire are shown, designated by figs. 1 and 2. The portions of the 

 vine lying along (2"^ and sustained in place by it are called arms. Those shoots fjistencd 

 towards the to})s to the wires (1) are called the courses, (coursons;) and on 4 are seen 

 properly loaded with fruit, but represented without the leaves, for when the leaves are 

 in place, very little of the fruit is visible. The figure 3 indicates the standards from 

 which th e arms are taken. The one nearest to the post and the fifth furnish arms for 

 the lower courses. The second and the sixth furnish arms for the upper courses. The 

 third and the seventh for second courses from the top. The fourth -and eighth for the 

 remaining courses, which completes the system, which, when loaded with fruit, will all 

 be like the one designated by 4. 



It will be observed that the shoots upon the arma which constitute the courses are 

 alternately in pairs and single. In pruning, to make single ones grow pairs or two 

 shoots from one spur, cut above the first good bud, and that will give two shoots, one, 

 and the bearing-one, from, the well-developed bud, and the other from a bud scarcely 

 visible on the vine, and too small to be shown in the engraving. The shoot from the 

 latter will not be certain to bear fruit ; at its base will be formed a bud that will fruit, 

 and then the shoots will be established. 



To prune the double shoots, cut the upper one off by cutting the spur just above 

 the origin of the lower shoot, and then cut the lower shoot at two buds, by these means 

 the spurs will always remain short. This plan is perfectly adapted to renewal yearly 

 biennially, or triennially, as may be found expedient or to suit the views of the pro- 

 prietor. To renew yearly, double shoots should be always grown, and the one from the 

 upper bud only suffered to produce the fruit. To renew biennially or triennially, grow 

 alternately as shown in plate, and the method of proceeding is too obvious to require 

 explanation. 



By recurring to plate 1, fig. E, the manner of cutting will be apparent, but by erroi 

 of artist, the fruit on the left will be seen upon the wrong shoot — that is, the one tha» 

 springs from the spur nearest to its origin from the main stem. This is also equally 

 adapted to renewal or constant bearing, and is called the " cylindric" method. 



Both systems are calculated to produce a quantity of fruit beyond the belief of thoso ■ 

 ff-ho are not acquainted with systematic training. 



