304 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



The canes should be from three-fourths of an inch to an 

 inch in diameter ; and, if allowed to bear from three to 

 five pounds the following season, they should be cut back 

 to within six feet of the ground in November, and then 

 laid down and covered for the. winter. 



THE SECOND YEAR. 



In case we take a little fruit for trial, this year will be 

 a type of all succeeding years. We suppose our cane to 

 be six feet in length. All the eyes below the level of the 

 eaves should be rubbed out. Also, as a general rule, rub 

 out every alternate eye on the remainder of the cane, 

 leaving the eyes from eight to ten inches apart, according 

 to the vigor and size of foliage of the variety. The 

 branches will then alternate on each side of the cane, and 

 be from sixteen to twenty inches apart on either side ; the 

 latter distance being near enough for such strong kinds as 

 the Syrian. At the end of the cane an eye is preserved, 

 to extend to the top of the house. The same system of 

 sprinkling and showering is pursued as in the previous 

 year, withholding the water during inflorescence. The 

 fruit-branches are carefully tied to side wires, and continu- 

 ally checked, as directed for the vineyard. We even carry 



