248 THE GRAPE CT3LTURI8T. 



if the canes were laid down without reversing them. It 

 does have this effect upon the canes, and there is no par- 

 ticular objection to it, although the same effect is produced 

 when the arms are curved down in the manner shown in a 

 preceding chapter. Some of those who advocate this mode 

 of forming the arms, claim that the check that is given the 

 vine by thus bending them is a benefit, and that its good 

 effects continue after the first year ; this, however, is very 

 doubtful, because the growth of the vine is made up of 

 concentric layers of wood, one of which is formed every 

 year, and the layer of wood which is formed over the one- 

 year cane after it is bent down, would have its internal 

 structure conformed to this position, and the juices would 

 flow just as freely through the new wood at the bend as it 

 would elsewhere. 



SINGLE ARM SYSTEM. 



We have here a system that we are told is the very best 

 that has ever been invented. It comes across the water 

 fully indorsed, and it also has its advocates in this country ; 

 but with all this testimony in its favor I believe it to have 

 one radical defect, and that it will not prove satisfactory 

 unless that is remedied. Fig. 98 shows a vine trained upon 

 this comparatively new plan, and I think that any one who 

 has followed me through the foregoing pages, or has him- 

 self trained vines, will see in a moment where the defect 

 lies; but for fear that he should not, I will point it out. 

 The vines are planted only three or four feet apart, and are 

 grown and pruned in the same manner as when we train 

 with two arms, until the time of forming the arms, then 

 only one cane is laid down and the other is cut to three 

 buds. When the buds push, four to six are selected upon 

 the arms for upright canes, and the others rubbed off. 

 The three buds left upon the other cane are allowed to 

 grow, and if the vine is a strong one, all the buds will pro- 

 duce fruit, as shown in the engraving. 



