126 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



will be observed that the principle on which the system 

 is based remains intact. The branches are in such posi- 

 tion, and may be arranged with such regularity, as to be 

 easily and firmly tied ; so that the whole appearance of 

 the vine will be neat and symmetrical in the extreme. 

 It may be asked why it would not be as well to Jiave a 

 single main upright trunk, half-way from the ends of the 

 wall or arbor, and the four tiers of arms stretching hori- 

 zontally from one trunk. It would be a serious objection 

 to this plan, that the upper tier of anm would receive too 

 large a proportion of the strength of the vine, while the 

 lower arms would experience a corresponding lack, and 

 would ultimately become barren. It is the excellence of 

 the Th ornery plan, that it reduces all the fruit'mg-eyes 

 of an individual vine to an exact level. Though there 

 are four tiers represented in fig. 24, yet all the eyes of 

 each single vine will be seen to be on a level; and conse- 

 quently there will be an impartial distribution of the 

 sap. This complication, however, though simple, is by no 

 means desirable, except for the purpose of covering build- 

 ings or high walls. It is far better in the vineyard to 

 have but a single course of arms, planting the rows suffi- 

 ciently near together to economize all the land. The 

 objections to a high trellis, and a double or a triple course 



