THE AMERICAiSr GRAPES 



343 



in the ease of laying down for winter protection and the 

 even distribution of the bearing wood. In the j)rairie 

 States it is also a gain to keep the fruit near the ground, 

 with a leaf canopy above, but a circulation of air beneath. 

 But the permanent success of the plan depends on 

 summer pinching of- the up-growing shoots and laterals. 

 This summer pinching, if started early, develops fruit-buds 

 low down on the laterals. If not pinched, the buds will 



Fig. 72. — Vine in autumn of fourth year, 

 where to prune. 



Dotted lines show 



develop higher up, requiring longer spurs. We have kept 

 a vine on this plan for twelve years without undue increase 

 in length of spurs. If any of them get too long a new 

 shoot can usually be started upward from the lower part 

 of the spur. 



233. Diagonal Training Plan. — In the prairie States, 

 and in other extended areas, a simple renewal system is 

 practised that is only a variation of the system generally 

 practised in the Chautauqua district of New' York. The 

 first year the vines remain on the ground. In the fall they 

 arc cut back to a stub with two or three buds and mounded. 

 The four- wire trellis is built the second spring and two 

 canes are started from the stub which are trained perpen- 

 dicularly and pinched when they reach the top wire. 



