\"^^ 



.208 



CULTIVATION 01? the VINK 





In the fpring of the fourth year, the branches that have 

 been preferved for bearing fruit, rauft be carefully trained 

 up to the fide flakes, the higher the better; and the 

 branches that flioot out from the head this fpring, which 

 are called branches of referve, and are defigned to bear fruit 

 the next fucceeding year, muft be tied up to the flakes below 

 the fruit bearing brandies, and one or two to the middle 

 flake, if there is room, for often times the fruit bearing 

 branches, occupy the middle as well as the fide flakes, and 

 efpecially in a plentiful year. The management of the vine 

 in its bearing ftate, calls for a clofe and particular attention. 

 Some gentlemen, and thofe who have written beft upon 

 this fubjed, recommend the taking away all the lateral or 

 fecondary branches and the nephews, clofe to the body 

 of the fruit bearing branch, and to leave only the main 

 leaves of that branch, thinking, by this method, that all 

 the nouriftiment of the vine is thrown into the fruit. 

 They alfo order the top of the branch to be taken off", witli- 

 in three joints of the uppermofl clufter of grapes- Others 

 again are for following nature, and fuffer all the branches 

 to extend themfclves as they will. Thefe I look upon to 

 be, two extremes, and think that a middle way, is every 

 way befl, moft rational and fafcfl. The lateral branches, 

 the leaves and nephews are fuppofed by naturalifts to draw- 

 off and perfpire the crude and thin juices and to hinder 



them from entering and fpoiling the fruit, and alfo ferve 

 as lungs for refpiration; the circulation of the air through 

 all the parts being neceflary to vegetation, and for bring- 

 ing the fruit to perfed maturity. That this is fo, or how 

 it is, I am not fo well acquainted with the operations of 

 nature, as to determine; but this I know, that when thefe 

 fmaller branches are taken clean away, the main branches 

 inftead of growing round, fidl and plump, which is their 

 natural flate, become broad, flat and diftorted, and have 



^ 



Y 



an unnatural apj^carancC 



Eefides thefe branches, when 



kept within proper bounds, ferve to fliade the fruit from 

 thefcorcliing rays of the Sun, and to fcrecn them from vio- 

 lent 



