132 



MANUAL OF MODERN VITICULTURE. 



Fig. 111. Gooseberry Bush pruning. 



shelters the grapes against the action of the sun's 

 rays, which might roast them, or, at least, diminish their 

 volume. 



The number of arms to be left on each stump varies with 

 its vigour ; their number must be increased when suckers 



grow only on the trunk ; on 

 the contrary, if a diminution 

 in the vigour of the plant 

 is noticed, the number of 

 arms must be reduced. 

 With this method spurs 

 alone are generally used ; 

 however, it is possible to 

 leave a long rod or leader, 

 which is brought down and 

 fastened to the trunk, form- 

 ing a circle ; or two rods may be left and twisted together 

 (quarante method modified by Coste-Floret). (Figs. 112. and 

 1 18.) We must be careful to select the long rods on different 

 arms every year, on accomnYof the considerable development 

 they promote on that arm. This method gives satisfactory 

 results with Jacquez, Black 

 July, and Herbemont at the 

 School of Agriculture, Mont- 

 pellier, and we are of opinion 

 that it is the best for cSpages 

 of this character in countries 

 where the gooseberry bush is 

 the rule and where stakes 

 are not used. As a matter of 

 fact, the fruit does not lie on 

 the ground, the fruit-bearing 

 shoots being supported at the 

 same height as the spurs, 

 and spreading in exactly the 

 same way as if short spurs 

 alone were retained. As for European varieties grafted on 

 American stock, we are of opinion that there is no reason in 

 favour of an alteration in the methods usually employed. 



The trellis method is that in which the arms are divided 

 symmetrically in the. same plane (Fig. 113). It is adapted 

 to regions where grapes have to be exposed to the action 

 of the sun's rays to ripen ; it is rather more difficult and 



Fig. 112. Gooseberry Bush with long 

 rod bent in a circle. 



