4:20 THE CULTURE OF THE VINE AT THOMEUY. 



stem vrith the side slioots annually pruned in. At Thomeiy 

 tlie vine is frequently trained as a horizontal cordon line 

 over line ; but to execute this form well requires time and 

 skill, which only cultivators who devote themselves specially 

 to it can afford,, and it may be safely said that letting the 

 vines run straight up the walls and with their spurs at each 

 side is better than any less simple mode. The really im- 



FiG. 238. Fig. 239. Fig. 240. 



Mode of Grafting the Mode of Grafting the Vine, by Gouge used in 

 Vine at Thomery. approach, practised at Tho- Grafting the Vine : 



mery. ten inches long. 



portant points to bear in mind are — first, the warmer the 

 exposure is, the better for the grape ; second, that the walls 

 are white, or nearly so, as the vines get more heat on such 

 walls than they do on dark ones, and are maintained in 

 better health ; thii^d, that wide and efficient copings are 

 used to permit the fruit to thoroughly ripen in autumn, 

 and prevent its being spoiled by heavy rains ; and that the 



