THE GRAPE VINE, 111 



along to extend the latter, and be shortened to 3ft. or 

 4ft., according to its vigour. 



The same practice must be pursued each year of con- 

 tinuing the main vertical stem, and laying new horizontal 

 ones until the Vine has covered its allotted space. The 

 Vine eventually will be like a horizontally-trained pear 

 tree, and all that will be necessary is the annual pruning 

 of the' laterals to form spurs. 



Disbudding. This is an important operation, which 

 must have due attention to maintain the Vine in good 

 health and in a free bearing condition. When the spurs 

 are formed, new laterals will form at each in spring. In 

 some cases one lateral only may form at a spur ; in others 

 several may do so; and, as one only must be allowed to 

 grow at each spur, the remainder the weakest must be 

 rubbed off when they are an inch or so long. Remember 

 also that no laterals should be permitted to grow on the 

 lower side, only on the upper one. When the laterals 

 have grown four or five inches long bunches of fruit 

 should be seen developing in the axils of the leaves. As 

 soon as these are seen, pinch off the points at the first 

 leaf beyond the bunch, or, where no fruit can be seen, 

 at the fourth leaf from the base. This disbudding and 

 pinching will keep the growth in order, and greatly 

 simplify the management of the Vine. (See Fig. 44.) 



If a Vine be grown as a cordon, all that has to be done 

 is to allow laterals to develop a foot apart on each side 

 of the stem, prune these in winter to one eye, and in sub- 

 sequent years disbud and pinch as above advised. 



Thinning the Berries. When the berries attain the size 

 of radish seeds they should be thinned out moderately by 

 means of a pair of fine-pointed grape scissors. Cut out 

 the smallest berries, and especially those in the centre of 

 the bunch. 



Watering and Feeding, In the earlier stages of their 



