30 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ February, 
eyes above the level of tbo wall-plate, or above the line of light. A very good rule 
would be to prune to the lowest point whence the foliage produced could- have 
the full influences of light and air. Before pruning at all, however, the subject 
of training has to receive some little consideration, z.e., as to the number of stems 
it may be desired to have, and to prune to that-number of buds accordingly, that 
is to say, if the training can be commenced so soon. 
In the Spur system of pruning, to which my remarks shall in the first place 
be directed, it being the method now most generally adopted in this country, 
the practice has generally been to confine the plant to one single stem ; some, 
however, prefer to plant at a wider distance apart, and take up two stems in the 
form of the letters u, I,—thus, or even three or more, as the case may be. As this 
is, however, a mere matter of training, and the treatment as regards pruning 
required for the one kind of stem is exactly the same as that required for the 
other, my remarks, although descriptive of the treatmenij of the one stem only, 
will be applicable to any number. In fig. 2, which represents a portion of the stem 
of a Vine at the end of its second year’s growth, after being planted out, preparatory 
to pruning, A represents the upper portion of the stem of fig. 1, left at the first 
pruning ; B B is the new wood, the growth of the second year ; 0 is what is termed 
a “ heel,” left at the previous pruning, it being always advisable to cut a little in 
advance of the eye, rather than close to it; d is the first side-shoot, and was 
produced from the second bud left at the previous pruning. This, when pruned 
off as the cross-line incflcates, shows the formation of the first spur ; e is a 
summer lateral shoot, i,e., a side-shoot formed from another shoot or stem of 
the same season’s growth ; f may be considered as the figurative point to which 
the stem b may be cut back. 
To give a practical explanation of my meaning, however, I will suppose the 
Vine to be cut down, as in fig. 1, to—say 6 in. or 12 in. from the ground, and 
that the plant has grown well—that is, it has made a leading shoot of from 
15 ft. to 20 ft. long, and of corresponding thickness. In the first place, if a 
side-shoot like D has been formed, this should be pruned off, as marked, to form 
the first spur, f.e., if it is considered desirable or necessary to have a spur so low. 
In the case shown, the plant having been cut so low down, it would not, as a 
general rule, be necessary. Far better and stronger spurs are produced from the 
stems formed after being planted out; and this is an additional reason for cutting 
so low down ; the stem is stronger, and the buds are larger, and so produce 
better shoots, which form better permanent spurs. In the second place, prune 
off all summer lateral shoots, such as e, quite close ; and then, in the third 
place, we have to consider the length of the main stem B to be left, or where the 
point F shall be. This point has chiefly to bo determined by the strength of the 
stem or the vigour of the plant. To the amateur Vine-cultivator it appears a 
great pity to cut away so much of the fine wood which has been formed ; it 
seems a needless waste first to grow it, and then to cut it away, when you know 
that in every bud there is a bunch of fruit. The temptation is great to leave a 
