THE GRAPE VINE. 97 



feet long ; that the young vines are to bear to a third 

 of this length the first year, and that they show more 

 than a bunch to each shoot: — ^remove them all but 

 one to a shoot as soon as they are far enough advanced 

 to be got hold of; and after the berries are set — ^pre- 

 suming that the bunches are large, as they generally 

 are on young vines — remove all but four bunches on 

 every rod. This will leave eight bunches on a vine. 

 Of course the largest and most shapely are generally 

 left ; and in most cases it may be presumed they will 

 average at least 2 lb. or more. This is a crop sufficient 

 for the first year in the case of permanent vines. 

 None of these bunches should be left on the leading 

 shoots, which should not be stopped this year till 

 they reach the top of the house. When the vines 

 are in full bearing, IJ lb. of grapes to every foot run 

 of the main stem of the vine may be regarded as a 

 fair crop. 



In disbudding the side growths of young vines, due 

 regard must be had to a regular establishment of per- 

 manent fruiting points or spurs. From 18 to 20 

 inches apart will be close enough ; and this will 

 generally call for the removal of two buds for every 

 one left all along the main stem. These side fruit- 

 bearing growths should be stopped two or three joints 

 beyond the bunch that is left. This, generally speak- 

 ing, will give foliage sufficient to clothe the whole roof, 

 when the main stems are trained 3 feet apart. If 

 there is room for a more lengthened growth, it should 

 be allowed to those from which the bunches are all 

 taken off. This gives foliage enough to sustain the 

 vines in vigour. Closer stopping has a tendency to 

 weaken the vines in time. Allow the lateral growths 

 which spring from the axils of the leaves of these fruit- 



G 



