116 MANUAL OF AMERICAN GRAPE-GROWING 



While there is doubt as to the value of heading-back the 

 vine in the summer for the sole purpose of inducing fruitful- 

 ness, there can be no doubt that it is desirable for the purpose 

 of keeping some varieties within bounds. Heading-back is 

 not now the major operation it once was, the need of severe 

 cutting being obviated by putting the vines farther apart, by 

 training high on three or even four wires and by adopting one 

 of the drooping systems of training. The objections to head- 

 ing-back in the summer are that it often unduly weakens the 

 vines, that it may induce a growth of laterals which thicken 

 the vines too much, and that it delays the maturing of the 

 wood. These bad effects, however, can be overcome by prun- 

 ing lightly and doing the work so late in the season that lateral 

 growths will not start. Most vineyardists who keep their 

 plantations up find it necessary to head back more or less, de- 

 pending on the season and the variety. The work is usually 

 done when the over-luxuriant shoots begin to touch the ground. 

 The shoots are then topped off with a sickle, corn-cutter or 

 similar tool. 



RENEWING FRUITING WOOD 



There are two ways of renewing the fruiting wood on a 

 grape-vine, by canes and from spurs. The manner of renew- 

 ing refers to pruning and not to training, for either can be used 

 in any method of training. 



Cane renewals. 



Renewal by canes is made each year by taking one or more 

 canes, cut to the desired number of buds, to supply bearing 

 shoots. By this method the most of the bearing wood is re- 

 moved each year, new canes taking the place of the old. These 

 renewal canes may be taken either from the head of the vine or 

 from the ground, though the latter is little used except where 



