92 



American Grape Training. 



but the vine would have been in better shape for 

 training if only one or two shoots had been allowed 

 to grow. Such a vine as this can be carried onto 

 the trellis next year ; or it may be cut back to three 

 or four buds, one of which is allowed to make the 

 permanent trunk next year, like a two-year set vine. 

 If it is desired, however, to keep the old top, it will 

 be best to cut back the annual growth heavily at the 

 winter pruning. The amount of wood which shall 

 be left must be determined by the vigor of the plant 

 and the variety, but three or four panes of six to ten 

 buds each may be left at suitable places. During 

 the next season a strong shoot from the base of 

 each cane may be allowed to grow, which shall form 

 the wood of the following season, while all the 

 present cane is cut away at the end of the year. 

 So the bearing wood is renewed each year, as in the 

 regular systems of training. Much skill and ex- 

 perience are often required to properly rejuvenate 

 an old vine ; and in very many cases the vine is not 

 worth the trouble. 



