CHAPTER Xin. 



OF TYING OR BLYDmO. 



There are, properly speaking, two sorts of tying or binding j the 

 first for espalier Vines is binding, and consists in nailing up the 

 branches and shoots against the wall with loops of osier. The second, 

 for propped Vines, is tying ; it is to fasten the youifg shoots against 

 the prop or palisade of posts. 



The tie is put round the third or fourth joint above the last bunch 

 of the uppermost shoot. If there is considerable new wood of differ- 

 ent sizes on the stock, and these shoots would be forced too xnucli 

 from their natural position by tying all together, the tying should be 

 performed in two or three places ; otherwise the grapes will be liable 

 to rot. A twist of rushes, bass or rope of straw is used for this purpose'. 

 In clipping, there are often some shoots or sprigs negjected fo be 

 removed ; they should be cleared out at the time of tying, as also 

 those that have grown out since the time of clipping. 



The most favorable time for tying is immediately after the flower- 

 ing. Then the new wood is all nearly quite evolved, and is tender 

 and requires to be fastened, to allow no purchase to th« wind, which 

 stunts the shoots, or what is worse, breaks them short off at their origin. 



In the larger part of Southern France, tying is thought useless ; in 

 all the northern part part its excellent effects are highly prized. We 

 owe to it the superior wines of the Marne, and much also is due to it 

 for the support it gives to the slender, thin stems of the Pineau or 

 pine-cone grape, the staple of the renowned vineyards of Cote-d'Or 

 of L'Yonne, and of Saone and Loire. Doubtless, tying is expensive, 

 but its advantages compensate the time and money that it requires. 

 In the South, they may get through without it, but in our northern 

 departments it is indispensable. 



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