158 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



growth c, c, the upright shoot in the Thomery plan, termed 

 the fruit-branch ; the fruit being two or more leaves from 

 the arm. At every joint of the branch is a strong leaf, 

 at the axil of which eyes are formed, which, if allowed 

 to remain, will develop into fruit-branches next year. By 

 the side of these embryo fruit-eyes, sub-shoots, E, E, often 

 start into growth, which are termed laterals. 



When they are broken off at the top, or checked as it 

 is technically termed, other shoots will start at the axil 

 of the leaves of the laterals ; these being termed sub-lat- 

 erals. On the opposite side of the branch to the fruiting- 

 eye, leaf, and lateral, is a tortuous fibre of the branch, as 

 seen at r, called a tendril, preserving its vitality but a 

 single season, and designed by Nature for the purpose of 

 clinging to some support until the branch shall have 

 attained a permanent position. The fruit-cluster is but a 

 modified tendril. It is frequently observable that the 

 cluster is inclined to return to its normal condition of ten- 

 dril, and also that the tendril becomes a fruit-cluster. 

 Now, as we give artificial support to the branches, the use 

 of the tendril seems to be entirely superseded, except as 

 we transform a desirable number into fruit-clusters. In 

 illustrating the short-spur mode of pruning, let us take 

 our vine at the end of the first season after planting. If 



