310 rRINCTPI.ES AND PRACTICE OF Pr.UNING 



for grapc\'ines, certainly of yVmcricaii \arieties, is the 

 trellis. Though there are se\'cral forms, depending upon 

 the system of training, they all agree in the main points 

 of construction. Posts (>{ cedar, locust, chestnut or other 

 wood durable when set in the ground are spaced at dis- 

 tances depending upon the system, the character of vine 

 growth, etc. End posts must be very firmly braced to 

 withstand the weight of vines and fruit, especially dur- 

 ing the strain caused by heavy winds. Figure 266 shows 

 two ways of bracing, the most jjopular at A :ind B. 

 Number 10 or 12 wire is generally used. Because of ex- 

 pansion and contraction due to temperature the wires 

 should pass through the staples loosely and at each end 

 the slack be wound on a reel of some kind. Unless this 

 is done and the wires partly unwound in the fall, the end 

 posts and perhaps some others may be pulled loose dur- 

 ing winter. 



222. Other supports than trellises and stakes. — In ama- 

 teur practice grapes of all classes are largely grown upon 

 arbors, porches, fences, buildings, trees, etc. The first 

 is often excellent as a landscape gardening feature when 

 it covers a walk. Where the principles of prunhig and 

 training are adapted to the kind of support, grapes of 

 good enough quality for an}'one may be so produced. 

 But for business purposes trellises and stakes are de- 

 ser\'edly most popular because better results can be so 

 produced. l"he advantages of the trellis over the arbor 

 are: The trellis is cheaper and more easily built; it will 

 last longer and can be more easily repaired : it will double 

 the fruit-bearing surface of the \'ines, the size of arbor 

 and trellis being the same : the \ines will be more pro- 

 ducti\e and they may be pruned, sprayed and cultivated 

 and the fruit more easily har\-ested. 



223. The American grape (mainly Labrusca varieties 

 and hybrids) must be pruned l)oth to prex'cnt over- 

 bearing and to secure high quality fruit without jeopard- 

 izin"' the vigor of the vines. If comruon sense does not 



