1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 191 



(osay that the comparison is not correct, that the two cases are very dif-^J, 

 ,,P ferent. In what I would asld The same general law governs both 

 / with this difference, that the grape vine bears it for a time with more 

 I impunity. In the long run it will arrive at the same state of degene- 

 racy, for man cannot alter nature's immutable laws, although he may 

 for a time seem to divert them to suit his own puny ideas. This is 

 no new idea, as the utility of allowing periodically an extension of 

 branches has been often treated of from Speechly downwards, and its 

 good effects as often demonstrated, as is proved by many examples of 

 old and yet productive vines in Britain and elsewhere. As in course 

 of time a vine if yearly allowed to occupy more space would fill an 

 ordinary house, it becomes a matter of consequence that the crop 

 should not be lost during the interval. If the following method has 

 any pretence to novelty and the accomplishment of the object I am 

 pleased to record it. Admitting that the house has to be planted ; 

 choose a vine of the most favorite kind, which is intended to remain 

 permanent — plant it midway from each end of the house. At a dis- 

 tance of twelve feet plant others of the next desirable sorts as they 

 may remain for some years, fill up the spaces w T ith any other sorts 

 that fancy may dictate, so that each plant may be about three feet 

 apart. At the end of the first season's growth if sufficiently strong, 

 head down to five or six feet, and disbud each alternate eye, leaving 

 the rest about eighteen inches apart on each side the cane, from which 

 a light crop may be taken the following season. Be careful in break- 

 ing the following spring to get the lower eyes as strong as the top 

 ones which is easily done by good management. The second sea- 

 son's growth may be cut back to the same length as last, which will 

 leave a cane of ten to twelve feet long and side spurs on the lower 

 part or preceding year's growth. These spurs maybe shortened in 

 to the lowest good eye each, and disbud the present year's cane same 

 as last. So far we have extended the plant perpendicularly, and we 

 will suppose that we have a house of well grown canes two years 

 old, reaching to the top of the rafters, and qualified to bear a good 

 crop. The next season, allow each other vine to bear as heavily as 

 is considered safe to color off the fruit, as these vines are to be re- 

 moved the following fall. Those which are to remain may not be 

 allowed to carry quite a full crop, which will ease and strengthen 

 them, and the extra fruit borne on those to be removed will make up 

 the deficiency, At pruning time remove those which have borne 

 heavily, viz, each alternate vine, and cut back the side spurs to about 

 a foot each, these will fill up the spaces next year, and are intended 

 to become the permanent bearing blanches ; to be trained horizontal- 

 ly and spurred in as is usual with the perpendicular canes Each jear 

 allow these horizontal branches to extend a foot or more according to 

 strength, and as they approach the next vine, bear it somew r hat heavi- 

 ly and take it out. By this method a roof capable of accommodating 

 twelve or more vines in the ordinary w^ay, will in course of time be 

 filled by one, and if the house is a very long one, more in propor- 

 tion. As many kinds cannot be grown in the same space, but as 

 there are so few which are the very best, this will generally be of lit- 

 tle consequence, besides a variety may be planted at the first, and a 

 few sorts of the best quality will remain as permanent plants, care 

 being taken at planting, that known good kinds are put in the right A 



places. r\ 



•-> r GA 



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