THE GRAPE. 149 



No more wood growth is to be permitted, the 

 strength of the vine being now concentrated in 

 developing the fruit. This mode of training is 

 well adapted to vineyard culture, the rows being 

 eight to ten feet apart in order to obtain a free 

 play of air and sunlight. A more common 

 method among vineyardists is to twist or bend 

 the cane to posts and compel the branches to 

 support themselves as they may, in a more or 

 less pendent position. The usual distance for 

 these posts is about eight feet each way, for 

 strong growing kinds. Six feet would be suffi- 

 cient for the Delaware. 



The advantages of the post system are that 

 the air and sunlight have free play on all sides, 

 and the wood becomes thoroughly mature ; the 

 twisting and bending of the cane checks the 

 upward flow of sap, and the fruiting shoots as- 

 sume a pendent position, which also tends to 

 develop the fruit. Two posts, three feet apart, 

 with cross-pieces, to give firmness, and also con- 

 venient places for tying, are also recommended. 

 The object is a firm support, and a form which 

 shall check too strong an upward flow of sap. 

 Any system which shall secure these two ends 

 with least labor is best. It is all important, 

 whatever system is adopted, to secure a thorough 

 ripening and hardening of the wood. When 



