94 PIOTORIAL FRAGTIOAL PnUtT GtiOWmQ. 



with the leader, and as it thickens so will they hecome stronger. They 

 must be pruned each autumn. As a rule they are cut to one eye — that is, 

 only one bud is left on the stump, and it is close to the rod. Sometimes 

 two buds are left, in order to give a choice between two shoots when the 

 following growing season comes. If this is done the best should be allowed 

 to grow, and the others rubbed out while still quite small, as there is no 

 particular gain in having two laterals on young Vines, although after the 

 pruning there are two buds to choose from instead of one. 



General Pruning. — We have now got our Vines established and in 

 proper bearing order, and as we have gone halfway on the road to pruning 

 we may as well deal with pruning as a whole — I mean on established Vines. 

 Here, of course, we join company with the grower who is not in the position 

 of starting with Vines, but of taking up the management of rods already 

 established. The spur system is the one usually practised ; and, although 

 certain modifications are called for under particular circumstances or with 

 special varieties, it may be described as the best in the main. Spur pruning 

 may be learned theoretically in two minutes if a little study is given to 

 Fig. 73, page 97. The letters a a show the rod, T> the spur, ceo the lateral, 

 d d sublaterals, one pinched at the first leaf, and e a sub-sublateral (if I 

 may be pardoned an awkward phrase), also stopped at the first leaf. 



Now for details and comments. In the first place, it will be noticed that 

 there is a considerable space between the rod and the first leaf ; in other 

 words, there is a long spur. Long spurs are objectionable, and by close 

 pruning when the Vines are young they may be obviated. Next we come to 

 the first leaf. This should be close to the rod, and have a good bud at its 

 base, to which the lateral may be pruned in the autumn. The leaf is often 

 small or insect-ridden, and the bud is consequently weak. In this case a 

 better bud farther from the rod has to be chosen for pruning to, but this 

 means a long spur. The leaf near the rod should be kept clean and healthy, 

 so that it may thoroughly nourish a fat, plump bud ; then we get a slioit 

 spur and a fine lateral the following year. 



Proceeding with our inspection of the lateral, we come to a second leaf 

 and a hunch of fruit. Now, although a bunch often shows at this point it 

 need not necessarily be chosen. It may be of bad shape (see remarks on 

 choosing bunches to come), in which case it should be removed, and another 

 one which will show farther along he chosen. It will be observed that near 

 this point, but on the other side of the lateral, is a side shoot, or sublateral. 

 It would he a mistake to let this grow, for it would rob the bunch. It 

 should be stopped, as shown. Another growth may, and probably will, start 

 from it, as shown above the second d ; this shoald also be stopped at the 

 first leaf. A twirled growth called a tendril is seen below ; this is valueless. 

 Near the end of the lateral we see that it is severed. The exact point at 

 which this stopping takes place depends on circumstances. It is a safe rule 

 to stop at the second leaf beyond the bunch ; but some growers like to stop 

 at the first, some at the third, and some at the fourth. There is room for a 

 great deal of difference of opinion — and some amount of tomfoolery — in Vine 

 culture. If leaves were divided into sixteenths, there would be found people 

 ready to argue by the hour whether the laterals should be stopped at two 

 leaves and fourteen-sixteenths, or two leave? and fifteen-sixteenths ; and 

 they would expect the universe to listen admiringly all the while I Three 

 or four leaves may be left, if there is no danger of the laterals running into 

 those on neighbouring rods. Two axioms ought always to be staring the 

 pruner in the face : (1) never stop (remember I speak broadly, there are 



