236 MANAGEMENT OF VINES, &C. 



be borne in mind that these small shoots, (I do 

 not mean little dwindling stuff,) if allowed to 

 remain, and cut back to the second or third bud 

 according to their strength, will generally pro- 

 duce fine burxcbes, while I have remarked that 

 the young wood which had borne the fruit, when 

 cut back, did not produce them so regular and 

 fine, this I have observed to be the case with such 

 sorts as the sweet water, royal muscadine, &c. ; 

 but I feel myself getting into a labyrinth, and 

 must conclude these observations by the excuse set 

 forth at the commencement of the paragraph, with 

 this only addition, that nothing but great prac- 

 tice among vines can convey anything like the 

 directions for pruning, which the vine requires, 

 leaving out of the question the different varieties, 

 but hope these hints will not be taken amiss by 

 the experienced man and extensive grower, and 

 that it may lead them to watch the nature of the 

 different kinds. 



The winter pruning may be done any time in 

 December or later, when the forcing does not 

 commence early, always cutting back to three 



