The Home Garden 



fall, when the vines are laid down for winter, 

 cut away all but three or four feet of this 

 growth. Or, if you choose to do so, you can 

 nip off the ends of these vines after they have 

 made four or five feet of growth, during the 

 growing season. The only objection to this 

 plan is, that if done quite early side branches 

 are sometimes set out, and this is not desirable. 

 Some prefer to let pruning wait until spring. 

 I do not think it makes much difference when 

 it is done. The object is to shorten the branch, 

 and it is well to do this at a time when it will 

 bleed least. In spring, when fruit buds appear, 

 rub off at least half that start. Apply the ad- 

 vice given above by Mr. Snell as to the number 

 you leave, basing your action on the general 

 appearance of the vine. These things you must 

 determine largely for yourself, for no advice 

 can be given which will fit all cases fully. 



*'In pruning, remember that it is the new 

 wood which bears the fruit. Remember, also, 

 that the root can support only about so much 

 stalk, and the less wood you have the larger 

 the bunches of fruit. Little wood means full 

 bunches. Long, straggling canes mean clusters 

 bearing only a few berries each." That is what 



164 



