340 
On the Cultivation of the Vine. 
great part, and attain another object, presently to be mentioned, by 
training the branches in a horizontal direction, and keeping the whole 
of the fruit-bearing part of each tree nearly on the same level. 
^^Five Vines tvere placed at the end of a house twenty-fii^e feet in 
length., for this purpose provided with rods placed horizontally under the 
glass of the roof, twenty inches asunder, and extending from end to end. 
The first Vine placed at one end, being trained up to the two lower rods, 
a shoot of it was laid along each of them., and continued successively 
from year to year, till it reached the othesa end;. then the shoot on the 
lower rod iva^ turned upwards to the next, and led back upon it towards 
the stem of the tree ; while that on the upper rod ivas turned down, and 
led back, in like manner on the lower one. During this process, a suffi¬ 
cient number of spurs, or short branches, were left annually on the old 
wood, to produce fruit. When the leading shoots which had been thus 
trained in a retrograde direction, approached towards the end whence 
the original branches proceeded, preparation was made for a succession 
of young wood, bringing forward two fresh shoots from the stem of the 
tree, and leading them on close to the preceding ones. As these and the 
leading shoots of the first branches, which were then on their return, 
advaiiced, the spurs on that part of the old wood to which they had 
reached were cut out to make room for them, the naked stem only being 
left. When the second series of branches had returned nearly to the end 
at which the trunk was situated, the first series, on which there was then 
but little of the herbage remaining, was cut out at the trunk. Fresh 
shoots were then brought forward, to succeed the second series ; and so 
on, without end.” 
Each of the five Vines was trained alike, on two rods devoted to each 
tree, and thus, Mr. Seton conceives, he attained two important objects; 
first, producing an abundant supply of superior fruit; and secondly, of 
retaining each individual tree, in 07cn peculiar climMe, to tvhich 
alone all its parts are exposed.'^'' 
If this communication be favorably received, and produce the notice 
that it is my object to elicit, I may perhaps be led to follow it up with 
another paper, “On the Culture of Vines, upon the Open Wall,” and 
also to enter into a somewhat minute description of the construction of 
small forcing-houses, furnished with flues, a steam apparatus, and a 
pit for leaves or tan. I hope Mr. Staflbrd, among others of your able 
correspondents, may be induced to take up the pen. He would also add 
greatly to the valuable information he has already furnished, if he were 
to enter into a somewhat more minute description of the method of pru¬ 
ning and training his Vines in pots. 
I am, Gentlemen, 
Your sincere well-wisher, 
Electricus. 
Kovember 22, 1831. 
