CHAPTER XXVII 



PRUNING AND CARE OF THE VINE* 



Most of the varieties of vinifcra grown in California at present 

 thrive under the short pruning system. There are exceptions, 

 however, which will be noted later. The prevalence of the short 

 pruning system frees our growers from the expense and incon- 

 venience of trellises. Though in the early years of the vine stakes 

 are used, our older vines stand by themselves and are as inde- 

 pendent of supports as our fruit trees. The vines are, in fact, 

 shaped upon something the same model as our fruit trees, the 

 so-called "goblet form" of the French being our prototype. 



THE FIRST. YEAR 



During the summer of the year the vines are planted, no prun- 

 ing or training of any kind is needed in most cases. For this 

 reason it is nearly always unnecessary to stake the vines when 

 they are planted. The only exception to this is when strong- 

 rooted vines are planted in a rich, moist soil in which they will 

 make a very large growth the first year. In this case it is desir- 

 able, though not quite necessary, to stake the vines immediately 

 after planting to adopt the method of summer treatment described 

 below for the second year. 



In most cases it is best to allow all shoots to remain to feed 

 the vine and to insure a good root growth the first year. 



Staking. In the autumn or winter following planting, the 

 vines should be staked, either before or after pruning, but in any 

 case some time before the buds start in the spring. 



The kind of stake used will depend on the variety of vine and 

 on the method of pruning to be ultimately adopted. For ordinary 

 short-pruning, the stake should be of such length that, after being 

 driven into the ground, sufficient will be below the surface to 

 keep it firm and prevent its being loosened by the force of the wind 

 acting on the vine which is tied to it, and sufficient above the 

 surface to extend one or two inches above the height at which 

 it is intended to head the vines. It should be from one and one- 

 quarter to one and one-half inches square, according to the length. 



* The detailed instructions and accompanying illustrations in this chapter are 

 taken from the excellent writings of Mr. F. T. Bioletti for the California Experiment 

 Station, and embody the teachings of long experience and wide observation. 



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