THE GRAPE. 159 



support horizontal poles; and projecting six inches 

 from the posts, the basket may be hung upon them 

 in gathering. A trellis is best if running north and 

 south, to receive the sun on both sides. 



Pruning and Training. The hardy American 

 grapes are often much neglected in pruning, and 

 this neglect is sometimes even commended. But 

 as they are liable to the same laws of growth as 

 fruit trees, there can be no question that like them 

 they are benefited by thinning out superabundant 

 shoots, and promoting the vigorous growth of few- 

 er branches. 



Various modes are adopted in pruning grapes for 

 the trellis. The great leading object should be, to 

 have a proper number of strong growing branches, 

 evenly distributed over the surface. For this pur- 

 pose, old and irregular branches should be removed, 

 that their places may be supplied by new ones from 

 the dormant buds near their base. 



A general rule for all grape pruning, is to cut 

 down all shoots late in fall or in winter, to three or 

 four buds ; and new shoots should start as low- 

 down as possible, to- form the future bearing wood; 

 otherwise the old wood gradually extends upwards 

 to the top of the frames. 



The annexed figures exhibit two modes of train- 

 ing, variations in which may be made to suit cir- 

 cumstances, and the preferences of the cultivator. 

 The first is the fan or fruit-tree method, in which 



