SYSTEMS OF TRAINING 



213 



The time for the pruning of the grapes varies somewhat 

 with the growers and the locahties, but it usually extends 

 from the dropping of the lea^'es in the fall to a time just 

 before the swelling of the buds in the spring. 



Systems of Training. — The training and the pruning of the 

 grape are closely allied. In discussing training it is necessary 

 to use certain terms characteristic of the grape and a brief 

 definition of these terms should logically find a place here. 

 The terms commonly used are (1) shoot, which is a green or 

 immature growth less than one year old; (2) cane, which is a 

 matured shoot; (3) arm, which is an old cane three or more 

 years old; (4) branch, which is a division of an arm; (5) stem, 

 which is the part that supports the entire vine. 



Fig. 98. — Single-stem Kni£fen system of training the grape. 



In the training of a vine a support is necessary. This 

 support is called an arbor or a trellis. The best trellis is one 

 that permits the vine to grow without crowding and also 

 holds it in such a position so that all parts can be easily 

 reached when spraying and gathering the fruit. The trellis 

 should not be too expensive. There are many different 

 styles of support and each has its advantages as well as its 

 disadvantages. The support adapted will depend upon the 

 variety of grape which is grown and also whether it is for 

 commercial or home planting. 



Stakes. — The cheapest and the most simple method of 

 training the grape is by setting a stake at each vine and 

 tying it to the stake. This method affords an opportunity 



