CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 159 



vigorous, it will have attained a length of cane of about 

 six or eight feet of ripe wood, which is cut back to within 

 two feet of the ground, before winter-covering, as directed 

 in a previous chapter. The vine is ijeither old enough, 

 nor the cane strong enough, to bear any quantity of fruit 

 the following season. It is often the case that a very 

 little fruit is allowed to grow, rather to gratify curiosity 

 and test new kinds. In such a case, the vine is cut back 

 to within eighteen inches or two feet of the ground, and 

 the fruit-bearing eyes are allowed to remain, while the 

 top eye is encouraged to form the cane. This, however, 

 is a pernicious practice. 



SECOND YEAR OF THE VINEYARD. 



The vines are to be uncovered after the severe frosts 

 are passed, and before the earth has become so warm as 

 to swell the buds. Let the cane remain lying on the 

 ground; and, when the buds have barely changed to shoots, 

 rub out all the top -shoots, leaving but three strong 

 shoots near the ground. In a few days, the strongest of 

 this trio may be selected, and tied to the stake, rubbing 

 off the other two shoots, and cutting away the vine above 

 the remaining shoot. This is a precise repetition of the 



