350 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING 



The shape must be such as to protect the vine as much as pos- 

 sible from various unfavorable conditions. A variety like the Carig- 

 nane, susceptible to oidium, must be pruned so fruit and foliage are 

 not unduly massed together. Free exposure to light and air is a 

 great protection in this respect. The same is true for varieties like 

 the Muscat, which have a tendency to "coulure" if the blossoms are 

 too moist or shaded. In frosty locations, a high trunk will be a pro- 

 tection, as the air is always colder close to the ground. 



The qualities required in the crop also influence our choice of a 

 pruning system. Even with wine grapes, perfect ripening and full 

 flavor are desirable. These are obtained best by having the grapes 

 at a uniform height from the ground and as near to it as possible. 

 The same qualities are desirable in raisin grapes, with the addition 

 of large size of the berries. With shipping grapes, the size and 

 perfection of the berries and bunches are the most essential char- 

 acteristics. The vine, therefore, should be so formed that each 

 bunch hangs clear, free from injurious contact with canes or soil 

 and equally exposed to light and air. 



The maximum returns in crop depend on the early bearing of 

 young vines, the regularity of bearing of mature vines and the 

 longevity of the vineyard. These are insured by careful attention 

 to all the details of pruning, but are possible only when the vines 

 are given a suitable form. 



The running expenses of a vineyard depend in a ja^reat measure on 

 the style of pruning adopted. Vines of suitable form are cultivated, 

 pruned and the crop gathered easily and cheaply. This depends also 

 both on the form of vine adopted and on care in details. 



It is impossible, therefore, to state for any particular variety or 

 any particular location the best style of pruning to be adopted. All 

 that can be done is to give the general characteristics of the variety 

 and to indicate how these may be modified by grafting, soil or 

 climatic or other conditions. The most important characteristics 

 of the variety in making a choice of a pruning system is whether it 

 normally or usually requires short, half-long, or long pruning. With 

 this idea, the principal grapes grown in California, together with all 

 those grown at the experiment station on which data exist, have 

 been divided into five groups in the following list : 



/. Varieties which require long pruning under all conditions. 

 Clairette Blanche, Corinth White 'and Black, Seedless Sultana, Sul- 

 tanina White (Thompson's Seedless) and Rose. 



2. Varieties which usually require loin/ pruning. Bastardo, Bal 

 de Madeira, Chardonay, Chauche Gris and Noir, Colombar, Crabbe's 

 Black Burgundy, Durif, Gamais, Kleinberger, Luglienga, Marsannc, 

 Marzemino, Merlot, Meunier, Muscaclelle de Bordelais, Nebbiok), 

 Pagadebito, Peverella, Pinots, Rieslings, Robin Noir, Rulander. 

 Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Serine, Petite Sirah, Slancatnenca, Su-in- 

 schiller, Tinta Cao, Tinta Madeira, Trousseau, Verdelho, TV-tit Vor- 

 dot, Walchriesling. 



