286 GIRDLING OR INCISURE. 



be broken by the wind, which inconvenience is not felt by the 

 old wood, which is firm and strong. 



There are two periods for its performance, having different 

 prominent objects in view ; to prevent the blight of the blos- 

 soms, it should be performed between the time the sap begins 

 to ascend and that when the flowers expand, and the period 

 generally preferred is from six to eight days previous to their 

 expansion. When done at this period its influence will extend 

 also to the fruit. The other period of execution is when the 

 fruit is fully formed, which is about the end of June or begin- 

 ning of July in this latitude. 



Various modifications have taken precedence in the manner 

 of its performance, which has become reduced to a course readily 

 understood and performed. Take the scissors or knife before 

 referred to and pass it round a branch where the bark is smooth 

 and cut down to the wood ; and at a quarter to a half inch be- 

 low, in proportion to the strength of the vine, make another 

 circular incision parallel with the first, then by a perpendicu- 

 lar cut from the one to the other, you may readily remove the 

 ring of bark thus loosened from the branch, which should be 

 done quite down to the wood, so as not to leave any portion 

 even of the liber or inner bark, to form a connection of the 

 parts thus separated. 



In seasons when the growth of the vine is very vigorous, 

 the 'incision will sometimes become closed, in which case it 

 must be re-opened ; but the partial incrustation which serves 

 for an after connection must be allowed to remain, if the 

 shoots are intended to be layered as provins, or if it is desired 

 to preserve them for any other object. Care should be taken 

 not to cut into or wound the wood, but simply to take off the 

 entire bark that surrounds it. 



The following rules are adopted in France in its perfor- 

 mance : In girdling vineyards of low pruned vines, the inci- 

 sion is made on the -wood formed the previous year, and below 

 each fruit bearing shoot. In vineyards high trained, the in- 

 cision is made at the commencement of the curve, or bend just 

 below the twist previously spoken of, or in case that has been 



