THE GRAPE 



121 



are to be cut back to two buds, in order to obtain a 

 very vigorous start for the second year, if, however, the 

 growth is more than four feet, the vine is to be cut at 

 the level of the first wire on the trellis. During the 

 second year of the strong, or the third year of the weak 

 vine, two canes are allowed to grow from the two top 

 buds, running along the first wire of the trellis. All 

 laterals should be pinched off when they have made 

 one leaf, but not removing this leaf, as it would cause 

 the bud at the base to grow, a thing that is to be avoided 

 if possible. Then when another leaf is formed on this 

 lateral it is pinched again, thus forcing all of the 

 growth into one or two canes. 



(«^ 





IVS^v.^ 



Pig. 67— The Modified Kniffin System 



The Third Year — At the beginning of the third 

 year the stronger one of the two canes is carried to the 

 top wire of the trellis for fruiting, while the weaker one 

 is cut back to two buds, from one of which is to be grown 

 a new cane for the next year's fruiting. The vine is 

 now fixed on the trellis, as shown in Figure 67, and 

 each year from this on the training required will be the 

 same, the forcing of the summer's growth into the top 

 or fruiting cane and into the one new cane that is to 

 replace each fruiting cane after the crop has been taken 

 from it. The fruiting laterals on tlie top canes will 

 need pinching off as soon as the last cluster of flower 

 buds can be distinguished, or owing to their soft growth 

 may be broken off by high winds. These laterals must 

 be kept headed in all summer and will need attention 



