1 June, 1902 | QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 455 
die or become barren. The extremities make very heavy wood, with a 
corresponding waste of vigour, and the vine as a whole has not half the crop it 
would have had if pruned in one plane, as shown in Figs. 14 and 17. To prune 
such vines properly is impossible, and the waste of time, considering what to 
prune and what to leave, is considerable. The spurs should be formed at regular 
intervals, and, in double-armed systems, in equal numbers on either arm. 
2. This is easily to be understood, and is a warning not to overtax the 
vine, lest it declines. By keeping an eye on last year’s wood no difficulty will 
be found in balancing the pruning to the vigour of the vine. If the wood is 
too strong, and there are suckers or water-shoots, allow more eyes or spurs ; if 
spindly, and some eyes have not burst last season, prune more closely. 
4, This rule should be remembered when pruning long or with fruit-rods. 
5. Assists to carry out rule 2. z 
6. This is easily understood, and should be borne in mind when prunin 
vines that are required to have a high saccharine density of must or ample 
colouring matter in the grapes. 
7. This rule is seldom observed, and vines are met with that are bent at 
sharp angles or twisted round wires, which retards a free circulation of the sap 
and causes a copious growth of suckers and water-shoots—a waste of vigour 
which is paid for by loss of crop. This rule does not conflict with rule 4, as 
that apphes to fruit-rods, and not to permanent wood. 
Before entering into a description of the various systems of pruning 
adapted to this State, it would be well to give a few words of advice to 
beginners on the modus operandi of pruning a vine, and the points to be attended 
to when doing so. 
If there is any doubt as to what wood to take off and what to leave, as 
may happen if there has been any damage to the shoots from wind, frost, or 
hail, prune away first all the wood which the pruner is sure he will not require; 
this will relieve the vine of a quantity of confusing wood, and help to simplify 
matters. In dealing with what is left, the future shape of the vine must be the 
prime consideration, and not the coming crop. 
When pruning off any stout wood or canes, a slight pressure on the cane 
or spur to be removed, with the left hand away from the direction of the cut, 
will greatly assist the action of the secateurs and relieve the strain on the hand 
of the operator. It must be done contemporaneously with the cutting, and the 
ressure must not be too heavy, or the wood will split before the section has 
een made. A little practice will soon tell the exact amount of pressure to 
ut on. 
When pruning away suckers, be careful to extirpate them where they 
unite with the stock, no matter how deep down they may be; if cut off higher 
up they will give fresh work next season, which is to be avoided. 
After using the saw in removing last year’s fruit-rods or old spurs, plane 
the sawn surface off with a sharp chisel; this will effect a better healing of 
the wound, and prevent water from lodging on the section and starting decay 
of the wood. 5 
» When the pruner has a choice of more than one cane for laying down ag 
a permanent cordon or temporary fruit-rod, do not prune away the others until 
the one chosen has been finally tied down in its place ; as, should it be broken 
in the operation, which sometimes happens from various causes, he will have 
another to replace it with. Had he pruned away all the wood but the one cane 
which subsequently broke, there would be no remedy for the mishap. 
' Always prune away any dead wood down to the live wood, which will heal; 
if dead wood is left on the vine, decay will ensue, which must injure it; 
moreover, dead wood left on a vine marks the slovenly pruner—the “lazy 
man. 
When pruning spurs always leave the bottom cane and prune away the 
top one, even if the lower cane is weaker and thinner. It is a great mistake 
to leave the upper cane because it may be stronger, a mistake frequently made 
in Queensland, and which is answerable for the outrageously long, contorted 
