IS'2 OF VINES. 



leading shoot, nor that which you intend should 

 bear fruit next year. 



1 shall now give some directions for the second 

 year's pruning. 



I would never recommend the pruning of Vines 

 till the beginning of February, except in such a 

 season as the present ; for they are more forward 

 now (in the middle of January) than they were last 

 year in the latter end of March : this is owing to 

 the fine Autumn and mild Winter, and the wood 

 being so well ripened in the preceding Summer. 

 It is, however, very common with some to begin 

 pruning soon after the fall of the leaf, before the 

 wood becomes hard ; but if a frost sets in before 

 the wood is hard, in particular after wet Summers 

 and Autumns, it will be very much injured ; I 

 have frequently seen it almost killed after Au- 

 tumnal pruning. We often have fine weather in 

 the months of October, November, and December, 

 with sun and drying winds, which helps to ripen 

 the wood after wet Autumns. 



AVhen the Vine leaves begin to fall, remember 

 always to take a soft broom and sweep them off 

 upwards in a gentle manner, which will be of great 

 service in assisting to harden the wood. 



When you begin to prune in February, always 

 make choice of the strongest and longest shoots, 

 leaving them as long as you find the eyes good and 

 plump, and the wood round ; but by no means 

 lea^e them when they become flat ; as in that case 

 they seldom bear iruit ; and if they do, it will be 



