TIME TO PRUNE VINES. 



139 



each year only the distance from the base of the shoot 

 to the first bud on it, be it more or less. The annual 

 increase in diameter of the arm, as well as that of the 

 spur, also lessens somewhat its projection above the arm. 

 Taking the average of some twenty varieties that I have 

 trained on this plan, I find the spurs do not increase in 

 length more than three-fourths of an inch each year. 

 At the end of the fourth year the vine is considered as 

 established, and as another vine is at the same distance 

 from it with arms extending each way, of course the 

 space is all occupied, and the vines are to be confined 

 within the limits of eight feet each. The rows being 



FIG. 47. 



FIG. 48. 



six feet apart, we have nine hundred and five vines on 

 an acre; now seventy-two bunches to the vine (which 

 every vine will bear if it is a productive variety, and if 

 it is not it had better be discarded nt once, unless it 

 possesses some extraordinary quality which makes up for 

 loss in quantity) will give us 65,160 bunches to the acre ; 

 the weight, of course, will vary according to the size of 

 the bunch. But it is not best to let the vines bear too 

 much while young, as the quality of the fruit will not 

 be as good as though a less quantity were taken ; besides, 

 it is very likely to severely check the growth of the vine. 

 Varieties that are not strong and rapid growers 

 may .be planted nearer together, say six feet apart in the 



