138 MANUAL OF AMERICAN GRAPE-GROWING 



once near the ground, staples it on each side and brings the 

 other end up to the opposite end of arm, puts it through the 

 bit-hole, or saw-notch, draws it tightly, keeping the arm level, 

 and fastens the end of the wire as was done the other. Wire 

 nippers and pliers will be needed for this work. Then take 

 another piece of wire about two feet long, and put it twice 

 around the cross-arm and the post where they come together, 

 above the middle wire, and firmly tie them together, crossing 

 the wire as it goes around. This will hold the arm in place 

 and not weaken or split the arm as do nails and bolts, and will 

 be longer-lasting, quicker and cheaper, and more elastic, so 

 that when struck by the hames or collar in cultivation, it 

 gives a little, receiving no damage. 



"Likewise place the cross-arms on the intermediate posts, 

 leaving the ends of the wire projecting about six inches after 

 fastening, for a purpose soon to be mentioned. Then draw 

 the two lateral wires through the bit-holes in the ends of the 

 arms, or drop into the saw-notches, if such are made, through- 

 out the row, tighten with the wire stretcher and fasten. Then 

 return along each lateral wire, wrapping ends of wire at the 

 ends of the arms very closely and tightly around the through- 

 going lateral wires, as telegraph and telephone wires are 

 wrapped in splicing. This is quickly done with the proper 

 pliers, and prevents the arms from slipping out of proper 

 position. Now the trellis is complete, and will need little or 

 no repairs, and looks very neat, especially if painted. 



"Pruning and training on the Munson trellis is very simple 

 and easy with a little instruction for a few minutes with a 

 vine or two pruned for example. The vine the first season is 

 allowed to grow up on to the middle wire by a string around 

 which it is coiled by hand, by going over the vineyard once or 

 twice until the selected shoot of each vine is upon the wire, 

 after which it is allowed to ramble at freedom over the wires. 

 By getting on to the trellis the first year, one strong shoot, 



