THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 85 



of the one at the base, which is to be retained, but on 

 no account to bear fruit, as it is intended to prune back 

 to it the following year, so as to bring the spur nearer 

 home. I must not omit to mention, that I have generally 

 my bud singled out on each spur at the time I recom 

 mend for disbudding the lead, that is, taking off every 

 bud above and below, (not injuring the leaf,) with the 

 exception of the one intended to bear fruit, and the one 

 above mentioned for wood, the following year. As soon 

 as the wounds are healed after pruning, cover every cut 

 you have made with a little mild paint. 



" You will have removed the dung from the roots at 

 the time mentioned for last season. You will bear in 

 mind the renovation of the border, and the protection, if 

 required, from frost." 



Chapter 6th. "Presuming the season is again ap- 

 proaching for the development of your young vines, pro- 

 vided you started them the latter end of February, last 

 year, and you wish to have early fruit, you may begin 

 three weeks or a month earlier, but by no means sooner, 

 as, it will be found the most conducive to their health and 

 fruitfulness not to break in upon their habits too rashly. 

 I cannot give, at present, (though I have some experi- 

 ments in course of trial,) better instructions for the ma- 

 nagement of this and succeeding years, than by follow- 

 ing out the comprehensive ciilture the whole of the 

 season*as plainly laid down in the foregoing pages, urg- 

 ing the necessity of carrying out the whole practice as 

 therein stated, by close attention to which, success will 

 certainly follow. 



" Conclusion. In this attempt to lay down my prac- 



