Pruning the Vine. 



137 



to a hight of twelve to twenty-four inches, in a more 

 or less inclined directioTi [Fig. 37]. Each vine is sup- 

 ported by a grape-stake. 



It may be objected to 

 this mode of training, for 

 the less vigorous varieties, 

 such as the " Pinots," that 

 it keeps the grapes too far 

 from the ground, thereby 

 preventing them from prop- 

 erly ripening ; also that by 

 keeping this long stock in 



too upright a position, the 

 sap, flowing all the time to- 

 ward the top, prevents the 

 shooting of the new stems 

 on the old wood, and the 

 shortening of the stock 

 from time to time. The 

 consequence is, that these 

 stocks, by overgrowing, 

 soon exhaust themselves, 

 and have to be frequently 

 renewed by layering — a costly operation, and one always 

 injurious to the quality of the wine. 



We think that tlie form of Figure 35 is preferable. 

 Besides, in the latter form, the wire may be substituted 

 for the stake. This will reduce the expense, and allow 

 the use of the plow over almost the entire surface of 

 the ground. 



For the more vigorous varieties in the same regions, 



such as tlie stronger descriptions of Gamais, which are 

 12 



[Fig. 37.] — Vine of the 

 Cote d' Or. 



