THE GRAPE CULTUK1ST. 



Fig. 28, E represents a portion of a vine in summer. 

 Now, while this vine is growing it produces young 

 branches from a bud near the axils of the leaves ; that is*, 



from that point where the leaves join the main stem ; f 

 shows one of these young branches, which is called a late- 

 ral ; at the point where this lateral unites with the main 

 stem there is also a bud. Now if this lateral were broken 

 out entirely it might injure this bud, or cause it to push 

 into growth ; or if the lateral is allowed to grow unchecked, 

 the strength of the vine is divided into so many branches 

 that none of them will become strong or well ripened. To 

 prevent this, and retain as many leaves for the elaboration 

 of the sap as is necessary for the full development of the 

 plant, we pinch off, with the fore-finger and thumb, the 

 end of the lateral at a, when it has made two or three 



