36S THE FLOEIST AND 



There are various systems of pruning and trimming grape vines ; none 

 of them perhaps deserving unqualified censure, at the same time there is 

 much room for improvement in this necessaray operation. 



The principal methods may be classed thus : 1st, short spurring ; 2d, 

 alternate spurring ; and the long cane or renewal systems. 



Each of these methods has its supporters, and good fruit and good crops 

 are produced by them all, an additional proof that it is not by paying 

 strict attention to any one particular point, but rather from a happy com- 

 bination of all the essential elements of culture, that we are to derive con- 

 stant success. I propose offering a few remarks on these systems, and 

 before entering into detail upon their respective merits, a brief exposition 

 of the process of vegetable growth, will assist us greatly in arriving at a 

 proper understanding of the subject. 



When a seed is placed in a germinating medium, it sends a shoot upwards 

 in the air, and roots downward into the earth. The "seed, contains within 

 itself the nutriment necessary for this process ; but as soon as the young 

 plant is thus formed, its mode of existence is changed, and it now depends 

 upon the air and soil for its farther developement. The young root imme- 

 diately ab orbs matter from the earth which enters into the stem, and from 

 that to the leaves, where it is decomposed by the action of light. This 

 elaborated sap is then returned downwards enlarging the stem, and passing 

 into the roots, also extends their formation. It is considered that the car- 

 bonic acid and other matters absorbed by the roots, are of no value until 

 they undergo this decomposition in the leaves : consequently the increase 

 of size in the plant, the quantity of its secretions, and extension of roots, 

 are all dependent upon the amount of foliage. Any system of pruning, 

 therefore that involves a removal of leaves, must also involve the health 

 and vigor of the plant. It is an axiom with horticulturists that summer 

 pruning weakens, while winter pruning strengthens a tree. Hence on 

 strong growing barren fruit trees, summer pruning is practised in order to 

 check their vigor and cause them to bear ; while on the other hand, an old 

 or sickly tree will generally start with renewed vigor if severely pruned 

 down in winter. These simple rules should be kept in view while discuss- 

 ing the various systems of pruning. 



The short spurring system of pruning grape vines, is very generally 

 practised and easily understood. In practice, a single shoot is encouraged 

 until it reaches the desired length. The bearing shoots issue at intervals from 

 this main shoot, and are cut close down to it annually in the winter pruning. 

 The summer pruning consists in pinching out the extremity of every shoot, 



