118 THE FLORIST AND 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



FRUIT. 



Grapes.— Among the various systems of training and pruning grapes it 

 seems there are scarcely two authorities alike. This is much to be regretted, 

 and arises chiefly from the fact that the grape will produce more or less un- 

 der any system of management, consequently those who make a first essay, if 

 they can procure even a miserable crop, are so overjoyed with their success 

 that they extol it to the skies, and chronicle their great success as proceed- 

 ing from some trifling circumstance or other, which is henceforth considered 

 indispensable. " These grape vines will never do any good, because they are 

 planted inside the house," was a remark made in our hearing by one who 

 wished to be considered an authority in these matters, having planted a few 

 acres of vineyard. "You leave your young wood too long for the first year," 

 says another, who reads in the books that vines should not be allowed to fruit 

 until the third year after planting, overlooking the fact that a well managed 

 plant will be in better condition for fruiting in its second year than a neglect- 

 ed one in its fourth. We have heard remarks similar to the above made in 

 cases reminding one of the commissioned officer of six months' standing, in- 

 structing the private veteran of many battles how to handle his musket. We 

 propose to offer a few remarks upon the various systems of pruning alluded 

 to in a former number; and before proceeding to details a few preliminary 

 remarks will be necessary. 



When a seed germinates, its first effort is to lengthen downwards into the 

 soil and upwards into the air ; the starch contained in the seed affords suffi- 

 cient nourishment for this process. The plant being now formed will hence- 

 forth derive its food from the air and soil, the young roots immediately be- 

 gin to absorb nutriment from the earth, which passes into the stem and leaves, 

 where it undergoes decomposition, is then returned downwards to the roots, 

 extending their formation. The carbonic acid and other matters that enter 

 the system of the plant through the roots, are of no value until decomposed 

 by the leaves. This relative action continues during the growth of the plant, 

 the increase in size, the quantity of its secretions and extension of roots are 

 the result either of immediate or previous elaborating functions of foliage. 



Such is the generally recognised process of vegetable growth. Leaves are 

 the principal agents ; any system of pruning, therefore, that involves their 

 removal must exercise a corresponding check of root growth ; and if these 

 principles are kept in view, we shall be better able to discuss the merits of 

 pruning in all its modifications. 



The spur system of pruning is advocated and practised by many at the 

 present time. This may arise from its simplicity, certainly not from any 

 physiological superiority it possesses. According to this method, a single 



