Supporting the Vine. 155 



For the cup-shaped forms [Fig. 30], the arms, or 

 horns being in sufficient number for the vigor of the 

 plants, the fruit-stem on the extremity of each horn is 

 pruned to three eyes. Nevertheless, for the most vig- 

 orous varieties which are pruned into this shape, and 

 more especially for those, the eyes at the base of which 

 are not very fruitful, one or two long curved shoots are 

 left on the same or the adjoining arm. 



Trellises with one, two, or four arms, according to 

 the vigor of the plants, undergo the same treatment as 

 shown in Figures 32, 34 and 35. The fruit-stems 

 which are curved are cut longer or shorter, according 

 to the usual growth of the variety under cultivation. 

 This must also influence the number of fruit-stems re- 

 served each year at budding-time. 



VIII. 



VARIOUS MODES OF SUPPORTING 

 GRAPE-VINES. 



"IVfECESsiTY OF THE OPERATION. The vine is a 

 shrub which nature has provided with tendrils, 

 enabling it to keep itself from the ground, by creeping 

 up the neighboring trees ; it is not, therefore, intended 

 to creep on the ground. If its long shoots are allowed 

 to cover the earth, the quality and quantity of its pro- 

 duct will soon diminish, especially when it is removed 

 from the South. We know, in fact, that grapes require 

 a certain degree of heat, in order to ripen. This heat 

 they derive either from the direct rays of the sun, or by 

 reflection from the surface of the ground, or by radia- 



