HINTS ON PRUNING VINES 



365 



early enough, and this would be while the growth is still soft 

 at the point of removal, will induce the growth of laterals and 

 will shade and improve the fruit, and at the same time thicken 

 the growth of the main cane and strengthen its connection with 

 the spur. Slashing of canes too late in the season deprives the 

 fruit of the service of enough leaf surface for the elaboration of 

 the sap, often seriously checks the growth of the vine, and in 

 hot regions induces sunburn. The first summer pruning should 

 be done soon after the bloom, but not during blooming. The 

 second could take place whenever the canes or laterals extend 

 beyond the length necessary to shade the grapes. 



Suckering is an important process and usually has to be 

 attended to at least twice in the season. It consists in removing 

 all shoots from old wood which are not provided for at the pre- 

 vious winter pruning. The growth of these suckers takes sap 

 which should go to the other canes. All such shoots should be 

 rubbed or pulled off while they are still soft; if a sucker puts out 

 at a point where it would be desirable to have a spur to balance 

 the head of the vine, it should of course be allowed to grow, to 

 be cut back to two buds the following winter. By such selection 

 of suckers new spurs are secured to replace old and failing ones. 



GENERAL NOTES ON PRUNING 



Longer or shorter pruning produces effects not only upon the 

 amount and early ripening of the fruit of certain varieties, but 

 upon quality, as shown in the wine. Such effects have to be 

 discerned by local observation. 



It is a very difficult matter to lay down any rule for pruning 

 a vineyard, so much depends on the age of the vines, the differ- 

 ent varieties, and the quality of the soil. A basis on which to 

 build a theory on the subject might be found in and through an 

 understanding of the quantity of grapes that may be expected 

 from a vine, as the secret of pruning is to keep a just medium 

 between the production of grapes to the injury of the vine and 

 its wood and an overproduction of wood to the detriment of the 

 crop. In older vines a proportion should be maintained between 

 the vigor of the vines and the crop desired ; each bud may be con- 

 sidered good for two bunches of grapes the ordinary size, and 

 upon this estimate may be obtained. It must be borne in mind 

 that the result of overloading the vine is detrimental to its vigor 

 and health, while the reverse will not injure it, but will lessen the 

 profits for that season, often giving greatly increased returns in 

 after years. 



Close attention should be given to the growth of the wood 

 and fruit of the preceding year. If the canes are very large 

 and the bunches of grapes poor and there are many suckers, it 



