156 THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FR U ITS. 



more promising vineyards than any other practice. But people are 

 apt to run into extremes, and many are now advocating the ' let 

 alone ' doctrine. We think both are wrong, and that the true 

 course to steer is in the middle, 



" 1. Perform the operation eakly. Do it as soon as the shoots 

 are six inches long. At this time you can oversee your vine much 

 easier. Every young shoot is soft and pliable. * * Remember that 

 the knife has nothing to do with summer pruning. Your thumb 

 and finger should perform all the work, and they can do it easily if 

 it is done early. 



" 3. Perform it thoroughly and systematically. Select the shoots 

 you intend for bearing wood for next year. These are left un- 

 checked ; but do not leave more than you really need. Remember 

 that each part of the vine should be thoroughly ventilated, and if 

 you crowd it too much, none of the canes will ripen their wood as 

 thoroughly nor be as vigorous as when each has room, air, and 

 light. Having selected these, commence at the bottom of the vine, 

 rubbing off all superfluous shoots, and all which appear weak and 

 imperfect. Then go over each arm or part of the vine, pinching 

 every fruit-bearing branch above the last bunch of grapes. 



"We come now to the second stage of summer pruning. After 

 the first pinching, the dormant buds in the axils of the leaves, on 

 fruit-bearing shoots, will each push out a lateral shoot opposite the 

 young bunches. Our second operation consists in pinching each of 

 these laterals back to one leaf as soon as we can get hold of the 

 shoot above the first leaf, so that we get a young, vigorous leaf ad- 

 ditional, opposite to each bunch of grapes. These serve as elevators 

 of the sap, and also as an excellent protection and shade to the 

 fruit. Remember, our aim is not to rob the plant of its foliage, but 

 to make two leaves grow where there was but one before, and at a 

 place where they are of more benefit to the fruit." 



INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



Mildew and rot are the chief diseases affecting the grape, and are 

 both believed to be caused by atmospheric influences. Excessive 

 rains and damp, sultry weather are deemed the chief causes of these 

 allied diseases. No specific remedy has been found, as no means 

 of preventing the recurrence of the unfavorable causes are within 

 human reach. 



