I 



CULTIVATION of the VINE. 



iir 



The firft year the young vines are trimmed and ma- 

 naoed in the fame manner you have been before directed* 



Thefecond year when they always ilioot forth a great- 

 er number of branches, is the time for makino- choice of 

 the heft branched for ftandards. Set apart, therefore, two 

 of the belt fliort jointed branches, on each vine, for that 

 purpofe, that you may be fecure of one, in cafe the other 

 flioald fail, as thefe branches when young, are fubjed to 

 many accidents x So fliall you ftand a fair chance of hav- 

 ing Iruitful vines; for all vigncrons well know, that vines 

 flioot forth more barren and unfruitful branches, then^ 

 fruitful ones, therefore, as experience hath taught them, 

 they always fet apart fliort jointed branches for bearers,, 

 becaufe thefe feldom fail yielding much fruit; all the rell 

 of the branches you ftrike Off with your fmgcr: Again, 

 would you ftill more effedually avoid barren vines, if you 

 have it in your power, choofe your vine cuttings for 

 planting, from fruitful vines; not onlyfo, but choofe fruit- 

 bearing branches, that grow from the teeming part of the 

 vine, that is as near the head and fhoulders- as pofFible,. 

 and then if you cultivate them well, you Ihall be fure of 

 having fruitful vines; and this, let me tell you, is gain- 

 ing a very grand and efTential point: I have here repeat- 

 ed this inftrudion, that you may not neglcd it, nor mifs 

 of fo great an advantage. 



Having thus chofen two branches for ftandards, trains 

 them up as ftraight as you can, one on each fide of the 

 ftake: When they are grown^ about fifteen inches Ion r,. 

 bind them gently with a foft band to the ftake; for they 

 are then yet very tender: And as they grow longer bind 

 them a fecond and a third time; and when they are grown 

 up to the top of the ftake, which muft be five feet high, 

 nip off^ the ends, and they will grow the thicker and 

 ftrongcr. When you have taken away the tops of the 

 vine ftie will try to recover herfelf, and will ftioot out t^vo 

 branches at the top inftead of one; but thefe you muft 

 atfo nip oft*, and keep ftiort, but take away none of the 



lateral 



\ 



■j-^ 



'-v.'j ^1 ^h r ■ ui^ ^L 



