TRAINING THE VINES 



511 



(6) Determining the System of Training. With the trellis 

 in place, vine training to a definite form begins. Although 

 many systems have given good results, from the standpoint of 

 simplicity, economy, and results, the single-trunk, four-cane 

 Kniffin system takes precedence, and is the only system de- 

 scribed in detail here. Essentially it consists of a permanent 

 trunk extending to the top wire. At each wire a cane, renewed 

 every year, is laid down in each direction. This is the fruiting 

 wood or cane. There are then two arms 

 or canes on each wire or four for the 

 vine as a whole. To these arms coming 

 directly from the trunk, or near it, are 

 added short spurs or canes at each wire 

 from which the canes may be renewed 

 the succeeding year. 



(c) Pruning and Training the Vines, 

 Cut back the vine to two buds on a single 

 stub at planting (Fig. 198) . Repeat the 

 operation at the beginning of the second 

 season. The top is thus no longer at the 

 outset of the second year than it was the 

 year before. The plant does have a more 

 extensive root system and will grow a 

 much larger top during the second season 

 than the first. 



Select, early in the second season, the 

 strongest shoot that develops from the 

 buds on the stub and rub off the others, so that the growth may 

 be directed into a single shoot. The vines may be staked 

 during the season to get them off the ground and out of the 

 way of cultivation, or the lower wire of the trellis may be put 

 up, tying the vines loosely to it. Frequently, however, they 

 are allowed to run on the ground during the second season. 



The third spring from planting tie the single cane to the 

 top wire firmly so that it is taut, thus preventing the crooks 

 and arches in the trunk that later prove so troublesome in 



(17. S. D. A,) 



Fig. 204. A vine 

 pruned after one 

 year's growth in the 

 vineyard. 



