Miscellaneous Systems. 87 



lis ; in that event, the four canes would hang at 

 will, or they might be wrapped about the post, the 

 "shoots hanging out unsupported in all directions. 

 The post systems are essentially Kniffin in princi- 

 ple, for the shoots hang free. In low styles of 

 post training, the permanent head of the vine may 

 be only three or four feet high. This head will 

 have a ring of spurs on it, and at the annual prun- 

 ing three to five canes with from six to ten buds 

 each are left. Fig. 36 is a view in such a post 

 vineyard. 



The main trunk is usually tied permanently to 

 the post. The canes left after pruning are va- 

 riously disposed. Sometimes they are bent up- 

 wards and tied to the post above the head of the 

 vine, but they are oftenest either wound loosely 

 about the post, or are allowed to hang loose. Two 

 trunks are frequently used to each post, both com- 

 ing from the ground from a common root. These 

 are wound about the post in opposite directions, 

 one outside the other, and if the outside one is se- 

 cured at the top by a small nail driven through it, 

 or by a cord, no other tying will be necessary. 

 Sometimes two or three posts are set at distances 

 of one foot or more apart, and the vines are 

 wrapped about them, but this only arguments the 

 size and depth of the mass of foliage. Now and 

 then one sees a careful post training, in which but 

 little wood is left and vigorous breaking out of 

 shoots practiced, which gives excellent results ; 



