112 THE GRAPE CULTUEJST. 



a single bud, yet it is seldom judicious to do so ; for if the 

 bud produces but one shoot, it will be much more vigorous 

 than if the strength of the plant is divided among several. 

 It is a matter of considerable moment to the vineyardist 

 that all the main buds be fully developed, and especially 

 those that are required for producing fruit and bearing 

 canes, as it is only from such buds that the largest and 

 best fruit is produced. Keeping this fact in view, every 

 precaution should be taken to preserve the vitality as well 

 as the full development of the buds. 



Nature has provided a protection to the buds by cover 

 ing them with bud-scales, which ordinarily serves to protect 

 them against the sudden changes of the atmosphere while 

 they are dormant; but in some sections of the country 

 this protection is insufficient, and their vitality is either 

 entirely destroyed or very much injured. In such localities 

 .an artificial protection must be furnished. The method 

 of applying such a protection will be given in a future 

 chapter. 



