280 CLIPPING AND TOPPING OF THE VINE* 



A sound discretion should be exercised as to the number of 

 shoots to be pruned off, for by leaving too great a number to 

 form new wood, we deprive the fruit branches of the necessary 

 support, and by allowing too many fruit bearers we exhaust 

 the stock, the effect of which is felt for several subsequent sea- 

 sons. This measure should be pursued several times during 

 the season, according as the humidity or dryness of the wea- 

 ther may by their influence on the growth of the vines render 

 it necessary. 



The branches pruned off from the vines may be used as pro- 

 vender for horses, cows, and sheep, which are very fond of 

 them ; but as they are very heating when eaten in a green state, 

 it is best to spread them until sufficiently dry, and then put 

 them in stacks or barns for winter fodder, when if mixed with 

 hay or straw, cows will fatten upon them, and their milk be 

 increased both in quantity and quality. 



There is another operation that comes under the head of 

 pruning, which is called topping, or pinching off the shoots, 

 and consists in taking off the extremity of the shoot, in order 

 to stop its growing longer, and to enlarge it as well as the 

 fruit. This is practised in nearly all the vineyards in the 

 north of France, but not in those of the south. If executed 

 properly and moderately, it produces the effect above men- 

 tioned ; but if done too soon or immoderately, it not only tends 

 to different results, but retards in a great degree the maturity 

 of the grapes, because new shoots spring up which draw off 

 the sap, more especially if the weather be rainy. As it is.when 

 the berries have nearly attained their size that this is to be 

 performed, it should consequently be confided to skilful hands. 



We stand much in need of some general principles applicable 

 to our native vines by which to regulate the summer pruning, 

 for the adoption of European maxims in this case will be some- 

 times attended with injurious results. I have found that prun- 

 ing off a great portion of the young shoots of the Isabella vine 

 at midsummer, when the fruit was about half or two thirds 

 grown, caused a great portion of the berries to decay, turn 

 black, and fall of, which I take to be another proof that the 



