ON PRUNING. 



147 



cious in destroying several species of insects that 

 lodge upon them during the winter. 



When Vines, through neglect or mismanagement, 

 are reduced and become weak, nothing better than 

 a few small bunches can be expected from them. 

 The best method to recover them, when in such a 

 situation, is, by cutting them down at the winter- 

 pruning to the lowermost last year's shoot upon 

 each Vine. The next summer's shoots should be 

 divested of all the bunches as soon as they appear, 

 and the shoots should be allowed sufficient space, 

 viz. from twelve or fourteen inches to two feet and 

 a half, according to the kind of Vine, that is, 

 whether it produces small or large leaves. When 

 the shoots are properly disposed, the leaves of one 

 shoot should not be suffered to interfere with those 

 of the next adjoining shoot. Thus, by affording a 

 free admission of sun and air, the new wood will 

 be greatly benefitted. 



Vines are often permitted to run into a rude and 

 disorderly state during their progress in the summer. 

 And it is also too prevalent a practice to fix upon 

 certain periods for pruning, or dressing them as it 

 is termed. But Vines, properly managed, require 

 attendance almost daily, and particularly in the be- 

 ginning of summer. All the supernumerary shoots 

 should be rubbed off as soon as they begin to shoot 

 in the spring, and those only should be retained, 

 w 7 hich will be required either for fruit or succession 

 of wood. 



The Vines will be greatly benefitted by being 

 l 2 



