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It is of frequent occurrence in the third season, for a vigorous 

 shoot or scion to spring from the foot of the Vine— It will injur© the 

 plant unless the head of it be clipped. 



In the fourth year the Vine begins to yield fruit ; the two or three 

 most Hkely and able branches must be cut down to two eyes apiece, 

 and this is all the wood left standing. 



In the fifth pruning, not more than five runners are to be left stand- 

 ing ; the lowermost shoot must have but one eye ; and the other 

 strong branches are to be pruned to two eyes apiece. 



When the Vine has reached the sixth year it is shaped as far as 

 pruning goes ; from that time it must be regulated according to cli- 

 mate, the training of the stocks, their number, the space between 

 them, and the quality of the soil. The pruning then is classed into 

 short and long. 



The number of runners that are to be left, varies ; however, all 

 must undergo the operation of pruning, save Vines that lie fallow. 



The tall-stock Vine can be allowed four runners with nine eyes 

 to each ; but to prevent the sap from rising too fast and running to 

 leaves, the branch must be twisted at its origin ; this increases the 

 fertility of the plant, and improves the grape. 



In a middling Vine, where a head, or pollard, of three or four main- 

 branches is allowed, five or six runners may exist on each of these 

 branches, and each runner may be permitted to retain from five to 

 &ix eyes. 



A low Vine with only two main-branches, should have no more 

 than that number of runners on each, so as to cause an equal and 

 regular flow of sap, and prevent it from flowing to one side more than 

 the oth^r. If the Vine prospers, yet does not bear for two or three 

 years, the pruning must leave the wood long ; and on which ever side 

 it seems least fertile there should be a little manure applied, which 

 is better than to cut some of the roots on the more luxuriant side, 

 as some recommend. 



For a dwarf Vine, three or four runners, with one or two eyes 

 apiece, are enough to be left by the pruning knife. If the Vine is 

 old, it should be pruned down very low and topped often. If any 

 shoots should spring from the foot of the stock they are from an 

 old Vine acceptable and welcome, and are to be scrupulously taken 

 care of, as they may serve to renew the stock. 



When the plants have been much bruised and broken by hail, the 

 old and new wood both, must be cut close to the main stem. If a late 

 frost has caught the new shoots or destroyed them, those which are 

 any way hopeful must be topped; and the year after, that wood 

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