CHAPTER AY. 
PRUNING AND CARE OF THE VINE.* 
a 
Most of the varieties of vinifera grown in California at pres- 
ent thrive under the short pruning system. There are exceptions, 
however, which will be noted later. The prevalence ot the short 
pruning’system frees our growers from the expense and incon- 
venience of trellises. Though in the early years of the vines 
stakes are used, our older vines stand by themselves and are as 
independent of supports as are our fruit trees. The vines are, in 
fact, shaped upon something the same model as our fruit trees, 
the so-called “goblet form” of the French being our prototype. 
FIG. 4. 
FIG. 1. 
Various Growths of Vines before First Pruning. 
An effort will be made to describe briefly how this form is at- 
tained. 
First Year—During its first year in the vineyard the cut- 
ting is allowed to make all the growth possible without interfer- 
ence. After the fall of the leaves the following winter, the vines 
will be found to have made varying amounts of growth, accord- 
ing to individual vigor, as shown by the accompanying engrav- 
ing, ranging from Fig. 1, which is a good growth, down to Fig. 
4, which is a feeble growth. In these figures d represents the 
wood of the cutting which was planted with two buds above- 
* A general discussion of the pruning of the vine, with due consideration of all the ends to 
be attained by different pruning policies, is evond the unavoidable limitations of this treat- 
ise. The literature of the subject is large, and any one who aims to make a specialty of the 
grape will of course seek other sources of information. Bulletin 119, of the University Experi- 
ment Station, Berkeley, is a suggestive exposition of the subject. It is the aim of the writer 
merely to give a few suggestions which will aid the beginner or one who designs to growa 
small area of vines in connection with other fruits. 
( 298) 
