20 American Grape Training. 



shows where an old stub was cut away this winter, 

 1892-3, while b shows where one was cut off the 

 previous winter. A scar upon the back of the 

 head, which does not show in the illustration, 

 marks the spot where a stub was cut away two 

 years ago, in the winter of i8go-i. This method 

 of pruning can be kept up almost indefinitely, and 

 if care is exercised in keeping the stubs short, the 

 head will not enlarge out of proportion to the 

 growth of the stock or trunk. 



Pruning Young Vines. — The time required after 

 planting to get the vine orsto the wires or trellis 

 varies with the strength of the vine when set, the 

 variety, the soil and cultivation, and the system of 

 training; but, as a rule, the training begins the 

 second or third year, previous to which time the 

 vine is pruned, not trained. Two-year-old vines 

 are most popular for planting, although in the 

 strong varieties, like Concord and Niagara, well- 

 grown yearling vines are probably as good, if not 

 better. The strong-growing kinds are commonly 

 set from eight to ten feet apart in the row, and the 

 rows eight or nine feet apart. Delawares and 

 other small vines may be set closer, although eight 

 feet is preferable. When set, the vine is cut back 

 to two or three buds. During the first year, the 

 young canes are usually allowed to lie upon the 

 ground at will, as seen in fig. 6. In the fall or 

 winter, all the canes but one are cut off, and this 

 one is cut back to two or three buds. The vine is. 



