The Cultivation of the Grape Vine. 63 



hardy, will break more evenly, and start stronger, if protected 

 slightly, than when left fully exposed ; and if nothing more 

 is done than to loosen them from the trellis and let them lay 

 upon the ground, they are greatly benefited. This we have 

 tried, and, in such winters as those of 1851 and '52, with 

 much advantage to the crop. 



3. Allowing the Vines to lay upon the Ground till 

 THE End of May. — This practice appears to be somewhat 

 new with Mr. Gore. Every cultivator hurries up his vines as 

 soon as the frost is out of the ground, — if they are not left 

 up, — regardless of the cold, dry and cutting winds which we 

 often experience in April and May. We have no doubt the 

 vigorous breaking of Mr. Gore's vines is entkely owing to 

 this simple caution. We all know that the most experienced 

 cultivators of the grape under glass always tie the vines 

 horizontally, for some weeks, close to the front of the house, 

 for two reasons, — to keep them from the hot rays of the sun, 

 and to check the rapid flow of the sap to the top buds, — 

 which causes them to break slowly and evenly. Why 

 should not the same rule apply to out-door vines ? 



4. Weeding the Vine. — Mr. Gore's term for what gar- 

 deners call dis-budding, is very appropriate, for it is as nec- 

 essary to the well doing of the vine, as it is to the success of 

 a crop. It is in reality weeding, — stripping the vine of that 

 which would rob what remains of most of its growth. But 

 how few cultivators appreciate its importance ! If fine large 

 clusters, and particularly large berries, are wanted, such as 

 Mr. Gore sent us, they can be had only by a careful weeding 

 of the shoots. 



5. Shortening in the Fruit-Bearing Shoots. — This is 

 a question which has received some attention, but not so 

 much as it deserves. We have never believed that the 

 shortening of the wood was attended with any benefit to 

 the crop ; on the contrary, we think the unnecessary short- 

 ening pursued by most cultivators an actual injury to the 

 fruit. Mr. Gore seems to have discovered this ; and the last 

 season alllowed his spurs to grow till September, when they 

 were cut in only one fourth their length, instead of two 

 eyes, as is usually the case. 



