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Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue. 
Training Vines — There are many methods of training grape vines, but as trellises 
are most generally employed, we will confine our suggestion to a description of the 
trellis method. To construct a trellis take posts of oak, cedar or chestnut 8 to 10 feet 
long, set them 3 feet in the ground and about 12 feet apart. Stretch No. 9 galvanized 
wire tightly along the posts and fasten them to each. Let the first wire be 18 inches 
from the ground and the distance between the wire 12 inches. Wooden slats about 
one by two inches may be substituted for wires. Trellises should be at least 10 feet 
apart, a greater distance preferable. Set the vines about 20 feet apart. Prune the 
vines to two canes for two years after they are planted. In February or March these 
canes should be cut back to 5 or 0 feet each, and tied along the lower wire or slat of 
the trellis horizontally. 
Fruited Grape Vine 
When the growth commences in spring the young shoots must be reduced by 
disbudding so that they may stand about a foot apart on the cane, selecting of course 
strong healthy shoots; as they grow they are tied up to a second, third and fourth 
wire or slat, and all other superfluous ones removed, as well as the young laterals, 
which will appear on vigorous vines; but the first fruit-bearing shoots are allowed to 
extend themselves at will until September, when they may be pinched off at the end 
to assist the ripening of the wood. The vine in autumn, with the fruit on, will present 
the appearance of the above cut and before pruning in the autumn, after the leaves 
are off the following appearance. The next pruning, which may be done in November 
or December, if it is desirable to lay the vines down and cover them over for the win- 
ter; or in February or March if not laid down, consists in cutting back all young 
wood of the previous year 's growth (except such shoots as may be required to extend 
the horizontal arms), to within one or two good buds of the bearing canes on the 
lower wire, giving the vine the appearance of the following cut: 
Each season thereafter the vines are to be treated in the same manner, cutting 
back every year to the lower wire or slat, extending the vine only in a horizontal 
direction, thinning vines in the rows by digging up every other plant, if necessary, 
but never growing any grape above the second wire, and renewing the bearing canes 
by new shoots from the stumps when required. 
Gathering and Keeping — Grapes for keeping, to be used in the fresh state, 
should be allowed to remain upon the vines until perfectly matured, but not much 
longer. Pick them when perfectly dry. Let them stand in open baskets or boxes for 
about ten days in a cool, dry room, and after sorting out all decayed and imperfect 
berries, pack them in shallow boxes and cover closely. Use no paper, but basswood 
or elm boxes, if convenient. Pine and other resinous woods should not be used, as 
they flavor the fruit disagreeably. After packing, keep the boxes where it is both 
cool and dry. Under careful management some varieties may be kept until spring. 
