332 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING 



of the trunk, which is from 4 to 8 feet long. The horizontal cordons 

 may be single or composed of two branches extending in opposite 

 directions. Double and even multiple vertical cordons occur, but 

 they are very inadvisable and have no advantages. 



The arrangement of the arms of a headed vine may be sym- 

 metrical in all directions at an angle of about 45 degrees. Such a 

 vine is said to be "vase-formed," though the hollow center which this 

 term implies is not essential. This is the form used in the great 

 majority of California vineyards. It is suitable for the "square" 

 system of planting and cross cultivation. Where vines are planted 

 in "avenues," particularly when trellised and where cross cultivation 

 is impossible, the arms are given a "fan-shaped" arrangement in a 

 vertical plane, to facilitate working of trellised vines. 



On the vertical or upright cordon, the arms are arranged at as 

 regular intervals as possible on all sides of the trunk from the top 

 to within 12 or 15 inches of the bottom. On the horizontal cordon 

 they are arranged similarly, but as nearly as possible on the upper 

 side of the trunk only. 



Each of these systems may again be divided into two sub-systems, 

 according to the management 6f the annual growth or canes. In 

 one, called short or spur pruning, spurs oj one to three eyes are 

 left for fruit production. In the other, called long or cane pruning, 

 long canes are left. In rare cases an intermediate form is adopted 

 in which long spurs or short canes of five or six eyes are left. In 

 cane pruning and half-long pruning each fruit cane is accompanied 

 by one or two short renewal spurs. Systems of pruning, where only 

 long canes are left without renewal spurs, are not in use in Cali- 

 fornia. In all systems, replacing spurs are left wherever and when- 

 ever needed. 



Other modifications are introduced by the manner of disposal of 

 the fruit canes which may be tied up vertically or bowed in a circle 

 and tied to a stake driven at the foot of each vine, or they may be 

 tied laterally to wires stretching along the rows in a horizontal, 

 ascending or descending direction. 



Figure 290 b, representing a headed, vase-formed vine, with a 

 medium trunk and short fruit spurs, is the most common system used 

 in California. It is suited for all small growing vines which bear on 

 the lower buds, for most wine grapes and for muscats. The unit of 

 pruning in this case is a fruit spur of 1 to 3 internodes, according 

 to the vigor of the variety and of the individual cane. 



Figure 290 a differs from b only in the higher trunk and the longer 

 arms. It is commonly used for Tokay and other large growing 

 varieties, especially in rich soil and when planted far apart. 



Figure 290 c has the same form of body as a and b, except that the 

 arms are somewhat less numerous. The unit of pruning is a short 

 fruit cane of four to five internodes, accompanied by a renewal spur 

 of one internode. It is suited for vigorous table grapes, especially 

 for Cornichon and Malaga in rich soil, which do not bear well <m 

 short spurs. This is a difficult system to keep in good shape owing 



