146 MANUAL OF AMERICAN GRAPE-GROWING 



A trellis should be erected the second season, though the upper 

 wires of an upright trellis and the secondary wires of an over- 

 head trellis may be added later, as the vines need them. In 

 erecting an upright trellis the posts should be set midway 

 between the vines, the distances apart varying with the dis- 

 tances between the plants. The end posts of the rows should 

 be firmly braced. Three wires are generally used, placed 

 24, 42, and from 56 to 60 inches from the ground. 



" In erecting an overhead trellis, the usual method is to place 

 a substantial, durable post reaching 7 feet above the ground 

 at each of the permanent vines. Rows of extra heavy, well- 

 braced posts, running parallel with and also at the ends of 

 the rows of vines, are set at the boundaries of the vineyard. 

 There are a number of different ways of arranging the wires. 

 Usually No. 10 galvanized wires are securely fastened to the 

 tops of the boundary posts on the four sides of a vineyard and 

 then are run along and securely fastened on the tops of the 

 inside post down each row in both directions as governor 

 wires. As needed, No. 14 wires 2 feet apart are run parallel 

 with the governor wires until in this manner the entire area 

 has been covered. 



"A cheaper but less durable overhead trellis is made by 

 running No. 9 governor wires in only one direction and the 

 secondary wires only at right angles to the governor wires, 

 the secondary wires being fastened to the governor wires 

 wherever they cross. 



"Some growers construct arbors entirely of wood, using slats 

 or poles instead of wires. 



"The pruning of Muscadine grapes during the first three 

 years is mainly for the purpose of establishing the permanent 

 parts and adjusting the other parts of the vine to the desired 

 training system for future usefulness. After that the pruning 

 is primarily a matter of renewing the bearing surface and 

 keeping the vines healthy, vigorous, and productive. 



