PRUNING 



243 



Three plans for pruning and supporting vines common in Cali- 

 fornia and elsewhere are shown in figures 172, 173, 174 and 175. 



Pruning. — Grapes should be pruned annually. The best time is 

 in the winter when the sap is entirely dormant. If pruning is 



Fiq. 167. — The upright or high-renewal system of pruning and training grape vines; after 

 pruning. The fruiting shoots from these canes are trained upright and tied to the upper 

 wires, as shown in next figure. 



delayed until spring, the sap will flow from the wounds abundantly. 

 This will take away the strength of the vine. 

 The system of pruning and the system of trellising should har- 



Fig. 168. — The high-renewal system of training the new fruiting shoots of grape vines. 

 See the preceding figure. The wires are stretched at 24, 40 and 56 inches from the ground. 



monize with each other. Make the pruning rather close each year. 

 Remember that the crop is borne on the new growth and not on 

 the old at all There is very little need of saving much of the old 



