GRAPE PRUNING AND TRAINING 



329 



stretched at equal height, are 6 feet above ground. The 

 center wires are stapled to the posts, the other two to 3-foot 

 wooden crosspieces. In pruning, the vines are cut back to 

 five spurs and five canes, the latter fastened to the wires 

 three to right of the head and two to the left one year, the 

 division being reversed the next year. Except when cur- 

 rants, gooseberries or plants of similar growth and habit 

 are grown beneath the trellises (a popular method in the 

 Hudson Valley), this system seems to have little to com- 

 mend it above the Mun- 

 son system in its modern 

 form (Figs. 271 to 273). 



241. The Parrales or 

 overhead trellis used in 

 training certain Almerian 

 varieties is virtually 

 identical with the style 

 used in growing mus- 

 cadines in America (243). 

 From the head 10 or 15 

 canes each 1 to 6 feet 

 long, depending on the 

 vigor of the vine, are ex- 

 tended in various direc- 

 tions. Annually these canes are renewed as near as pos- 

 sible to the main trunk. Spurs are left each year to 

 provide for this renewal. 



242. The overhead arbor or multiple cross wire system 

 (Fig. 280) is popularly employed in growing the muscadine 

 varieties (243), which are usually set 20x20, 10x20 or 15x15 

 feet apart. The posts, one to each vine, are very stout and 

 long enough to extend 7 feet above ground. At the ends 

 of the vine rows on each side of the plantation, well- 

 braced posts are set. From them No. 10 galvanized wires 

 are passed over the tops of the vine posts to which they 

 are stapled. Other wires of smaller size (No. 14) and 

 2 feet apart run parallel with each set of main wires, thus 



FIG. 280 MUSCADINE (ROTUNDI- 

 FOLIA) GRAPEVINE, SHOWING ITS 

 SHALLOW SPREADING ROOT SYS- 

 TEM AND A POPULAR METHOD OF 

 TRAINING THE TOP. 



