Other Operations. 183 



difficult to accomplish the work in time, for the buds push 

 very rapidly, and they are easily broken out, in handling the 

 canes ; therefore, it has been recommended to make the bows 

 as rapidly as possible, securing the end to the stock, but not 

 waiting to attach them to the stakes until they are all bent, 

 when it is an easy matter to securS'them in position without 

 breaking oiF the young shoots. 



In bending the bows, it will be found that the canes, which 

 had been rather brittle and easily broken during the winter, 

 become quite pliant, and somewhat tough, as they are filled 

 ' with sap. Still, some care is requisite in bending them into 

 the circular shape of the bows. Both hands are used: with 

 one, sieze the cane near its extremity, and slightly twist it 

 before bending, and, while supporting and aiding the flexure 

 with the other hand, let the first be brought around gradually, 

 until the end of the shoot comes to the stock, when it is se- 

 cured to it by a willow tie. 



The mode of using the osier, in this operation, is peculiar, 

 and, though exceedingly simple, it is not easy to describe ; 

 suiEce it to say, that the bending, or tieing if you please — 

 though it is no tie — is done with the thicker end of the wil- 

 low, and not with the smaller and more pliant portion, as a 

 novice would expect. The security of this fastening depends 

 upon the spring of the willow, which keeps the loop always 

 upon the stretch. Vines that are well secured in the spring 

 seldom fall away from the stake, even when laden with fruit, 

 and exposed to storms. In the winter-trimming, we find the 

 majority of these ties so little decayed or loosened, that it is 

 necessary to cut them, as the first operation before touching 

 the grape-vine with the knife or shears. 



When we come to secure the bows to the stake, stouter 

 willows are needed ; the end is passed around the bow, and 

 one or two turns are taken, twisting the thicker end about the 

 smaller, before engaging the stake ; this is to prevent its rub- 



