154 



Vineyard Culture. 



the shoots have grown to such a length that the young 

 grapes can be seen, a number of them must be rubbed 

 out. Those nearest the base are reserved with one or 

 two of those having the finest bunches. In the vine- 

 yards of Medoc the same result is obtained, by cutting 

 out the eyes from the shoot. We think, however, that 

 the better way is to remove the shoots the yield is then 

 more certain. 



The following year, the old fruit-stem is cut at A, 

 [Fig. 61,] and the shoot, B, is cut and curved in the 



same way as the past year ; 

 and so on, every year. By 

 this mode of pruning, the 

 stock does not lengthen any 

 more than by the preceding 

 one, and we have the ad- 

 vantage of being able to 

 choose the finest fruit- 

 shoots, and to limit the num- 

 [Fic. 6 1.] Pruning of ber ifl proportion to the 



quantity of grapes they bear, 



Fruit-stems. 



and to the vigor of the plant. 



For varieties of moderate, or of great vigor, the fruit- 

 stems are pruned in the same manner. The length of 

 these shoots varies from ten to fifteen inches, according 

 to the vigor of the variety. A certain number is re- 

 served on each stock, according to its vigor. These 

 long shoots are also curved, as shown in Figure 61. 



The Foregoing Theory put in Practice. We have but 

 little to add to the preceding rules, for their application 

 to the various forms of vines which we have recom- 

 mended. 



