pruning may be done any time during the dormant period--from 
the fall of the leaves to the bursting of the buds in the 
spring. 
Many place too much importance on the so called "bleed- 
ing" of the vine, which occurs if the vine is pruned after 
the sap begins moving in the spring. Actually, late pruning 
may sometimes be very beneficial. The vines can be left uné 
til there is no further danger from late frosts or it may 
even be pruned after the buds at the extremities of the canes 
have opened. This retards the opening of the others and de- 
lays flowering and maturity, which in some instances could be 
very desirable. Furthermore, tests in France have shown that 
vines pruned late in the season bear better clusters and more 
of them. The flow of sap from such pruning wounds is of no 
consequence. 
We are now ready for the trellis. 
THE TRELLIS 
There are several systems of trellising, but those which 
appeal to us are the two or three wire for the 4-cane Kniffin 
system, and one which appears especially well adapted to the 
French-American hybrids, most of which are of more erect 
growth than our native American hybrids such as Delaware, 
Concord, etc. 
The two (or three) wite system is simply a series of 
posts, usually standard 64 ft. fence posts, set 44 ft. above 
the ground and placed about every third or fourth vine. End 
posts are heavier and must be rigidly braced. The wire is 
either run through holes drilled through the posts (best) or 
fastened on the windward side with staples. The spacing of 
the wires vary with location and preference--the lower wire 
should be at least 24 inches from the ground. 
The French trellis offers a few advantages that to our 
mind are important--the main one being that on spur and cor- 
don trained vines it eliminates the necessity of summer ty- 
inge The diagram shows its essential features. 
Pees Seen oer eRe Deatics Wires 14 0 164 te) to bats 
emeeetint eOe Loal b 



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