[ 143 .] 
Some thrifty shoots may rise during the first 
summer, to the height of 8 or 10 feet; but they 
ought invariably to be checked at the humble state 
of 3 or 4 feet, otherwise they exhaust their 
strength, in the production of waste wood, and suf¬ 
fer the head of the vine, which is destined to sup¬ 
port the honors and burdens of many future years, 
to become feeble, and incapable of sustaining this 
important ofiice with profit or dignity. 
Here I would just mention, that some writers 
of respectable authority, direct that during the first 
summer, all the branches^ laterals^ should be suf¬ 
fered togrow—xhdit you have nothing to do, but to 
tie up the branches with soft bands to the stakes : 
And a manuscript in my possession, by a merchant, 
who resided many years in the island of Madeira, 
inculcates, that the vines are not to be pruned till 
they have been two or three years planted. This 
may induce some persons to make experiments in 
different ways. But, to me, the method first re» 
commended, appears the most rational, and the best 
adapted, to form a vigorous and durable head to 
the vine. 
Now w^e suppose ourselves to have passed 
through the summer months. In October, when 
the leaf begins to fall off, is the time for trimming. 
Some postpone this operation till spring ; but if in 
the spring the weather becomes warm unexpected- 
the vines are apt to bleed to death, I once had 
