22 CULTIVATION 



branches, two, three, or four joints beyond the up- 

 per bunch of grapes, according to the number it 

 bears. Take off all laterals from the wood intended 

 for bearing next year, and not break off the ends of 

 these branches at all as is sometimes done; the 

 leaves are the lungs of the plant, and while it is 

 necessary to j^emove suckers and laterals, in order 

 to throw strength into the fruit and bearing 

 branches for next year^ a liberal quantity of leaves 

 should be left for the supply of both," 



The above directions, it is to be observed, are de- 

 signed for vineyards in the field, but as most people 

 at the north have only a few vines, and those 

 generally around the house or in the garden, tipon 

 arbors, &c., other methods of training and pruning 

 can readily be adopted, and a little practice will 

 soon enable any one to do their own pruning, with- 

 out calling to their aid a professor, Mr. Spooner 

 observes, that the " Isabella vines are so extremely 

 exuberant in their growth and foliage, that it is not 

 easy to prescribe rules for pruning and training, 

 which will suit all cases. After your vine is trans- 

 planted to the spot where it is to remain, you are 

 to train it according to the space you wish it to 

 cover* I would advise, if the arbor, trellis, fence, 

 or house will allow it, that it be trained about a 

 foot from the ground, in two branches forking each 

 way. It is thus within reach for a time, but you 

 will soon require ladders to trim the vine and gather 

 the fruit. Let it be particularly observed, that the 

 fruit always grows on the shoots of the present 



