PRUNING THE GRAPE IN EASTERN AMERICA 109 



vineyard operation an ample field for pleasure and for the de- 

 velopment of greater profits. The price to be paid by those 

 who would thus attempt perfection in pruning the vine is 

 forward vision, the mechanic's eye, the gardener's touch, 

 patience, and pride in handicraft. 



Simple as pruning is, the pruner soon learns that it is an art 

 in which perfection is better known in mind than followed in 

 deed. The theory is easy but there are some stumbling blocks 

 to make its consummation difficult. It is an art in which 

 rules do not suffice, for no two vineyards can be pruned alike 

 in amount or method, and every grape-grower finds his vine- 

 yard a proper field for the gratification of his taste in pruning. 

 Happily, however, enlightened theory and sound practice are 

 in perfect accord in grape-pruning, so that specific advice is 

 well founded on governing principles. 



One cannot, of course, learn to prune unless he understands 

 the habit of the grape-vine and is familiar with the terms ap- 

 plied to the different parts of the vine. As a preliminary to 

 this chapter, therefore, knowledge of Chapter XVII, in which 

 the structure of the grape-vine is discussed, is necessary. The 

 next step is to distinguish between pruning and training. 



PRUNING AND TRAINING DISTINGUISHED 



The grape is pruned to increase in various w^iys the economic 

 value of the plant by increasing the quantity and value of the 

 crop. This is pruning proper. Or grapes are pruned to make 

 well-proportioned plants with the parts so disposed that the 

 vines are to the highest degree manageable in the vineyard. 

 This is training. To repeat, the grape-plant is pruned to regu- 

 late the crop ; it is trained to regulate the vine. Grape-grow- 

 ers usually speak of both operations as "pruning/' but it is 

 better to keep in mind the two conceptions. The distinctions 

 between pruning and training must be made more apparent by 



