414 THE GRAPE. 



number for this renewal, the process may be going on annually 

 with but little interference with the general crop. Fig. 563 

 shows the manner in which this result is effected, the dotted 

 line marking the place where the old spur is cut out on the 

 left, for the benefit of the new shoot on the right. 



SUMMER PINCHING. At every joint of each new shoot is a 

 strong leaf. In the axil (or arm-pit) of each leaf-stalk, buds 

 are formed, which if allowed to remain will grow into fruiting 

 branches another year. Opposite to each strong leaf is a ten- 

 dril ; or in its place a bunch of fruit, if near the base of strong 

 shoots tendrils being regarded as abortive fruit-bunches, 

 serving also the purpose of clinging to supports and sustaining 

 the vine. These, it will be observed, are opposite the leaf- 

 stalk and bud. From the axil of the leaf-stalk a new and 

 feebler shoot often springs, which is called a lateral two of 

 which are shown in Fig. 564. Vigorous laterals will some- 

 times throw out others which are termed sub-laterals. Laterals 

 should be allowed to remain, as displacing them tends to in- 

 jure or destroy the buds. 



To prevent shoots or canes from growing too long, and also 

 for the purpose of increasing the strength of the cane and its 

 buds, the practice of pinching off is adopted, and is generally 

 performed after midsummer. This pinching, giving a check 

 to the cane, tends to the emission of laterals, which should 

 also in turn be pinched at their tips. 



It is a common practice with most cultivators of hardy grapes 

 to pinch off the shoots as soon as three leaves are formed 

 above the upper bunch of fruit. A less number will be in- 

 sufficient to furnish food for the forming berries; a greater 

 number of leaves would doubtless be better, provided there is 

 room on the trellis. A good rule in practice is to allow the 

 bearing shoots, shown in Fig. 558, to pass a few inches above 

 the top wire, before the tips are pinched off. After pinching, 

 the upper bud will frequently "break," or start into a new 

 shoot in which case a second pinching should be given, and 

 so on as long as the growing season continues. 



Summer pruning consists, in addition to this pinching, in 

 rubbing off all useless shoots when they first appear. Bear- 

 ing canes should be at least ten inches or a foot apart, and all 

 shoots between them are useless and detrimental, by crowding 



