122 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



to within one plump eye of the trunk each fall. The 

 branches will arch by their own weight and the weight 



Fig. 22. 



of fruit. A large hoop, supported by stakes, may give sup- 

 port and symmetry to the vine. The objections to this 

 plan are, that the growth and the fruit would be too com- 

 pact near the trunk : it would also be found troublesome 

 to give suitable support to such a form. 



But in California, where the amount of wood-growth 

 is limited on account of the dry climate, this is the form 

 adopted ; the .vine being stiff, and able to support itself. 

 A form which endeavors, to some extent, to diminish the 

 strong flow of sap, is a simple coil, or cork-screw, of the 

 vine around a post. The fruit-branches are allowed to 

 grow, and hang down of their own weight. The coil, or 

 twisting, has an undoubted tendency to check the flow of 

 sap ; yet its effect is by no means sufficient : the growth 



