Notes and Gleanings. 227 



ing on the vines. The future of these vines may yet develop a history of note, 

 and we may see them occupying a prominent place in the vineyards ; but, among 

 the numbers of new seedlings now being produced, there must surely be some of 

 superior excellence. 



Modes of Training. — The ideas of cultivators are not settled as to the best 

 methods of training the vine. The practice varies somewhat, according to the 

 use of stakes or wire-trellises for supports. The introduction of three wires 

 stretched horizontally is gaining favor, and is certainly that which is most easily 

 managed during the summer. 1 he difficulty most apparent is the leaving of 

 too much bearing wood, and the consequent overburdening the vines with fruit. 



Trinaning. — In the same connection, the winter and summer trimming of 

 the vines comes under consideration. I believe too much wood is left in the 

 winter, and too much is cut off at midsummer. The severe shortening of the 

 shoots in summer, removing immense quantities of the foliage, cannot fail to be 

 injurious to the vines in more ways than one, and will affect them both in root 

 and in branch. 



To avoid the excessive development of shoots and foliage, it is necessary to 

 do the summer pruning earlier. Do the rubbing-out of superfluous shoots, and 

 the pinching-in of those that need to be checked, as they commence their 

 growth ; so that the force of the vine may be directed into its proper channels, 

 instead of being wasted by the indiscriminate and barbarous methods pursued 

 in some vineyards. 



Allow the shoots to grow, let their leaves and buds perform their proper 

 functions, and reduce them to their just proportions at the season of the winter- 

 pruning. Much will, of course, depend upon the peculiar habit of each variety. 

 The good sense of the vigneron will be needed in all his operations to apply cor- 

 rect principles with a view to the peculiarities of the subject under his care at 

 the moment. 



Cultivation. — Everywhere throughout the region of the Lake Shore, the cul- 

 tivation of the soil in the vineyards appears to be excellent. Thorough drainage 

 of the heavy clays is requisite as a preparation for the vine ; and it enables the 

 farmer to stir the soil frequently. Various implements are used to effect this 

 purpose : some prefer the common turning-plough ; but most apply some of 

 the various modifications of the cultivator. Horse-power is an essential in these 

 extensive plantations ; followed and completed, of course, with the hoe, which 

 requires a considerable amount of manual labor. A weedy vineyard is the 

 exception : indeed, such a thing was hardly seen along-shore. 



Disease. — There was very little appearance of any serious trouble in the 

 vineyards of this region ; and yet they cannot be said to be free from evidences 

 of the existence of the malady which has been so destructive in other places. 

 At present, this seems to be manifested clijefly in the foliage, and has shown 

 itself in the curled and browned margins of the leaves, which are here called 

 siinbtcrntj a pleasant delusion for those who do not know the mildew. The 

 spots of this disease in white patches on the under side of the leaves, with a 

 corresponding blotch of decoloration on the upper surface, were not unfrequent- 

 ly met with, and will no doubt produce their legitimate effects in the loss of 



