GRAPE PRUNING AND TRAINING 



297 



spur (a) of the previous year bearing two canes (b and c) . 

 Near the base of the arm is a single water sprout (d) growing 

 out of old wood. Such an arm would normally bear other canes, 

 but as they would all be removed entirely at pruning they are 

 omitted to simplify the figure. 



In pruning one of the canes growing out of the spur of the 

 previous year (a) is cut Ijack to form a new spur and the other 

 removed entirely. In deciding on which cane to use for the new 

 spur, we must choose the one suitable for fruiting; viz, well ripened, 

 of moderate thickness and 

 with well-formed buds. Of 

 those which fulfill this con- 

 dition, we must choose that 

 which is in the best position 

 to preserve the form of the 

 vine. This, in most cases, 

 will be the lowest (b in the 

 figure), because it increases 

 the length of the arm the 

 least. If the lowest, how- 

 ever, is weak, broken or 

 otherwise unsuitable, we 

 are obliged to take one 

 higher up. 



When a cane arising 

 from the base liud of the 

 spur of the previous year is 

 chosen for the new spur, 

 the length of the arm is 

 lengthened imperceptibly. .\ 

 spur from the first bud (b) 

 will lengthen it usually 

 a little over an inch, one 

 from the second bud (b) 

 ,3 or 4 inches. In any case, 

 the arm finally l)ecomes too 

 long, like the one in the 

 figure, so must be short- 

 ened or replaced. This may 

 be done by using a con- 

 veniently placed water 

 sprout for a replacing spur 

 as at e in the figure, and 

 cutting back the arm in the 

 place indicated by the line /. Cutting back of an arm should lie 

 deferred until the following year as the replacing spur will produce 

 Utile or no fruit. In the meanwhile the fruit spur from cane b will 

 bear a crop and the replacing spur c will produce fruit wood for the 

 following }'ear. 



FIG. 256— ROTUNDIFOLIA (MUSCADINE) 

 Abo\'e, as dug; below, pruned for planting. 



