402 



Grapes. 



TRAINING. 



Young plants should be trained to a single strong shoot, like that 

 represented in Fig. 422, for which 

 purpose a stake should be used and 

 the vine tied up as it advances. Spring 

 plants set out early, will often reach a 

 height of six or eight feet by the end 

 of the season. 



Cuttings of the first year's growth, 

 as well as layers, are more perfectly 

 fitted for finally transplanting to the 

 vineyard, by one season's cultivation 

 in nursery rows. During this time 

 they should all be trained to a single 

 shoot, kept upright by staking ; the 

 young plants being cut down to two 

 or three eyes when set out, and the 

 strongest only being allowed to grow, 

 rubbing off the others as soon as the 

 young shoots are fairly developed. 

 Pinching off the tips occasionally, 

 after they have reached four or five 

 feet in height, will render the shoot 

 and buds stronger, and the wood will 

 ripen better. 



TRANSPLANTING. This is effected 

 most perfectly by making a broad 

 hole, and rounding up the central 

 portion of the bottom. The stem 

 being cut down to two or three strong 

 buds, and very long roots clipped ofi^ 

 the plant is placed with the centre on the rounded surface of earth, 

 and the roots then spread out in every direction, as shown in the 

 following figure (Fig. 423). The hole is filled with finely pulverized 

 earth, which completes the transplanting. 



The following is the usual course for forming the plants into bear 

 ing vines three years being required for this purpose, if strong 

 plants are used and good cultivation given. One or two more years 

 are, however, frequently required, if the growth is not sufficiently 

 vigorous : 



Fig. 422. One year plant. 



