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206 



CULTIVATION of the V I N E. 



obliged, after three fruitful years, if fo many happen fuc- 

 ceflively, to let their vineyards reft one year without bear- 

 ing fruit, that they may have time to recruit and gather 

 frefh ftrength. 



The third fummer you are to manage your vines in the 



fame manner you did the fecond. 



tymg 



up all the 



branches to the flakes, one above another; only of thofe 

 vines that are to bear fruit, the fruit bearing branches 

 fliould be tied up above the reft, that the fruit may have the 

 benefit of the Sun, the air and winds, all which are nec^f- 

 fary, and confpire to bring the fruit to maturity; and this 

 fhould always I)e the pradice. This year a third ftake is 

 provided, which in the fpring is drove down juft on the 

 north fide of the vine, upon a line viiih the reft, for order 

 fake. To this ftake the branches that bear fruit, there be- 

 ing but few of them, will be beft faftened, becaufe there will 

 be the more room for the branches of referve, which are to 

 bear fruit the next year, to be diftindly faftened to the 

 fide flakes, Thefe branches of referve are now of great 

 importance to the owner, as the next crop will depend up- 

 on the right management of them. They are, therefore, 

 to be carefully tied up at proper diftances to the fide flakes, 

 that they may grow well, that the wood may ripen, and 

 that the buds may be well filled. When they are grown 

 about five feet long, the ends muft be nipped off, the la- 

 teral branches kept fliort, and the nephews reftrained, if 



they grow too long, fo fliall the main branches appear full 

 and round, and in a natural, healthy and flourifliing ftate; 

 whereas, if they are all tied up to one flake, as is the 

 pradice with fome people, the wood remains green and 

 fpungy, and does not ripen, the buds do not fill well; 

 and where the band is, all the branches mildew and rot; 

 which plainly fliews the badnefs of fuch management. 

 As to the few vines that bear fruit this fummer, let the 

 fruit bearing branches be nipped ofl^ five joints above the 

 fruit, and let the fide branches and nephews be kept fhor t 

 as above direded; fo fhall the fruit come to perfedion. 



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