Slimmer-Pruning of the Grape. 273 



a renewal of wood suitable to produce the next crop, these several objects 

 should be kept clearly in view : — 



First, That we should prune in such a way as to avoid that very common 

 evil, the over-production of fruit. 



Second, That we should prune so as to provide for the largest development 

 of the foliage, and for a renewal of the leaves upon the fruit-bearing branches. 



Third, That we should so direct the growth of the vine as to insure 

 the production of vigorous, healthy canes to bear the next year's crop. 



And, lastly. That we might, under certain circumstances, find it necessary 

 to prune or to train in such a way as to check the growth by extension, 

 and endeavor to develop the buds on the lower part of the canes that are 

 to be appropriated to the production of the next crop. These topics were 

 considered seriatim. 



The first operation of summer-pruning is, therefore, a process for thin- 

 ning the fruit as well as for diminishing the number of shoots : but it does 

 not follow that there will be any less wood produced ; on the contrary, it 

 will be found, at the end of the season, that there is more available and 

 useful wood upon a vine that has had this important operation well carried 

 out than upon one which had been so neglected that all its shoots had been 

 allowed to remain and contend with one another to their mutual injury. 



This first process consists in what is called ntbbing-out. It should be 

 performed early in the season of growth, — very early, — so soon as the 

 young shoots have made their appearance, and have developed themselves 

 sufficiently to show their little bunches of embryo fruit : this will be when 

 the largest have grown five or six inches long. It is evident, that, if delayed 

 longer, there must be a greater loss to the vine. 



The vine-dresser removes the weaker shoots by rubbing them off with 

 his thumb. When there are twins, he should take away the weaker. Where 

 the joints of the old wood are short, if the buds all break, the branches 

 will be too close : in this case, alternate shoots must be removed, or even 

 more than this, so as to leave the fruit-branches not nearer than six inches; 

 in many vines, ten inches would be still better. If this work be well done, 

 the after-labors of summer-pruning will be ver}' much lightened. 



This process of rubbing-out is very useful for correcting the evils of in- 

 sufficient winter-pruning ; as the surplus buds may be removed, and the 



VOL. I. 35 



