102 MY VINEYARD. 



over them. Or they may be left on the trellises, if protec- 

 tion is deemed unnecessary. 



During the fourth season, two new canes are to be 

 grown, which will doubtless be afforded by accessory 

 buds. These are to be trained to the slats, while the two 

 canes of last season are to be fastened to the stakes for 

 fruiting. Each bud will probably produce a fruit 

 branch, which will bear from three to five bunches. 

 These branches should be stopped at the second leaf be- 

 yond, the last bunch of fruit. It is better not to allow 

 more than about twenty bunches of fruit to a cane. The 

 loss in the number of bunches will be more than made up 

 in the increased size and superior quality of those which 

 remain. When flower clusters are to be removed, it should 

 be done as soon as they make their appearance, as the 

 process of flowering is very exhaustive to the plant. 



The fall has been mentioned as the proper time for prun- 

 ing. In localities where the winters are severe, the tips or 

 exposed ends of vines are frequently injured, even when 

 the remaining parts receive no apparent harm. For this 

 reason the canes ought not to be cut back close to the bud 

 that is designed to grow, as by so doing it would frequently 

 be destroyed. It is better to leave an extra bud or two, 

 to be cut away in the spring, after the severe cold of win- 

 ter is passed. By this means the buds designed to grow 

 are left vigorous and strong. This second pruning, or 

 any spring pruning, should not be delayed until the sap 



