26 American Grape Training. 



or trellis and allow the shoots to hang without tying. 

 To one or another of these types all the systems of 

 American grape-training can be referred. 



There is no system of training which is best for 

 all purposes and all varieties. The strong-growing 

 varieties more readily adapt themselves to the high 

 drooping systems than the weaker varieties, although 

 the Delaware is often trained on a comparatively 

 low Kniffin with good effect. The high or droop- 

 ing systems are of comparatively recent date, and 

 their particular advantages are the saving of labor 

 in summer tying, cheapness of the trellis, and the' 

 facility with which the ground can be cultivated 

 without endangering the branches of the vine. The 

 upright training distributes the bearing wood more 

 evenly upon the vine and is thought, therefore, to 

 insure more uniform fruit, it keeps the top near the 

 root, which is sometimes thought to be an advan- 

 tage, and it is better suited to the stature of the small- 

 growing varieties. There is, perhaps, a greater 

 temptation to neglect the vines in the drooping 

 systems than in the others, because the shoots need 

 no tying and do not, therefore, demand frequent at- 

 tention ; while in the upright systems the shoots soon 

 become broken or displaced if not watched. For 

 very large areas, or circumstances in which the best 

 of care cannot be given the vineyard, the Kniffin or 

 drooping systems are perhaps always to be recom- 

 mended. Yet the Kniffin profits as much from 

 diligence and skill as the other systems ; but it will 



