154 Vineyard Culture. 



the shoots have grown to such a length that the young 

 grapes can be seen, a number of them must be rubbed 

 out. Those nearest the base are reserved v?ith one or 

 twfo of those having the finest bunches. In the vine- 

 yards of Medoc the same result is obtained, by cutting 

 out the eyes from the shoot. We think, however, that 

 the better way is to remove the shoots — the yield is then 

 more certain. 



The following year, the old fruit-stem is cut at A, 

 [Fig. 6i,J and the shoot, B, is cut and curved in the 



same way as the past year ; 

 and so on, every year. By 

 this mode of pruning, the 

 stock does not lengthen any 

 more than by the preceding 

 one, and we have the ad- 

 vantage of being able to 

 choose the finest fruit- 

 shoots, and to limit the num- 

 [Fig. 6i.]-Prumng of ^er in proportion to the 

 Fruit-stems. quantity of grapes they bear, 



and to the vigor of the plant. 



For varieties of moderate, or of great vigor, the fruit- 

 stems are pruned in the same manner. The length of 

 these shoots varies from ten to fifteen inches, according 

 to the vigor of the variety. A certain number is re- 

 served on each stock, according to its vigor. These 

 long shoots are also curved, as shown in Figure 6i. 



The Foregoing Theory put in Practice. — We have but 

 little to add to the preceding rules, for their application 

 to the various forms of vines which we have recom- 

 mended. 



