January  12,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
31 
PRUNINO  AND  CLEANIND  VINES. 
After  the  leaves  have  all  flillea  from  the  Vines  and  all  the 
Grapes  have  been  cut,  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  the  important  opera¬ 
tions  of  pruning  and  cleansing  being  carried  out.  This  work  is  best 
dealt  with  as  soon  as  possible  during  the  present  month,  or  earlier  if 
convenient.  Vines  enjoy  a  rest,  which  they  can  indulge  in  if  the 
superfluous  growths  are  cut  away  promptly  and  all  the  cleaning  dis¬ 
posed  of,  followed  by  cool  treatment  with  free  ventilation. 
Pruning  Vines  requires  intelligent  care  and  good  judgment.  If 
the  Vines  are  old  and  have  formed  spurs  on  each  side  a  mam  rod,  the 
orthodox  method  of  pruning  consists  in  shortening  the  lateral  growths 
to  one  or  two  buds.  Pruning  so  as  to  leave  more  buds  may  result  in 
.securing  finer  bunches,  but  it  has  the  disadvantage  of  causing  long 
spurs  to  be  originated,  w’hich  eventually  prove  inconvenient.  Smaller 
and  compact  bunches  usually  appear  from  the  lower  buds,  one  of 
which  only  should  be  allowed  to  fruit.  The  other,  if  retained  nearer 
plan  is  to  take  a  less  bold,  but  still  elfectual,  plan  of  renovation. 
Allow  a  strong  growth  to  extend  from  the  base  originating  in  a  suit¬ 
able  position.  When  it  has  grown  beyond  0  feet,  if  strong,  stop  it  at 
that  length,  allowing  a  fresh  leader  to  grow  as  much  as  it  likes  during 
the  season.  If  growths  break  out  from  the  eyes  at  the  base  of  the 
principal  leaves  on  the  length  below  the  point  of  stopping,  shorten 
them  to  the  first  leaf  they  make,  continuing  to  do  the  same  if  subse¬ 
quent  growth  is  made.  Give  the  new  cane  every  opportunity  to 
become  well  ripened. 
'I’he  following  season,  after  the  winter  pruning,  only  the  first  4  feet 
of  cane  is  retained,  the  rest  being  pruned  away.  The  spurs  on  the  old 
rod  may  also  be  removed  as  far  as  the  new  cane  extends,  because  it 
will  be  necessary  to  have  room  and  light  for  the  future  growth  of 
laterals.  From  the  upper  bud  of  the  new  cane  a  leader  may  again 
extend,  to  be  stop[)ed  at  4  feet,  or  less  if  vigour  of  growth  does  not 
warraut  so  much.  A  fresh  leader  can  be  allowed  to  grow  at  will  as 
before,  until  pruning  time  in  winter,  when  it  is  shortened  back. 
Fig.  7.— LUTON  HOO  PARK. 
to  the  old  rod  than  the  fruiting  shoot,  must  be  kept  as  the  lateral  for 
pruning  back  the  following  year,  thus  preventing  undue  extension  or 
elongation  of  the  spur.  Frequently  the  risk  must  be  run  of  shorten¬ 
ing  the  spur  back  into  the  old  wood,  when  it  is  imperative  to  remedy 
unsightly  elongation  and  trust  to  the  starting  of  a  dormant  bud  to 
form  a  suitable  shoot.  Such  buds  do  sometimes  extend  growths 
without  prior  shortening  of  spurs,  and  it  is  desirable  to  encourage  them 
when  the  reduction  of  long  spurs  calls  for  attention. 
To  make  the  best  of  these  shoots  and  render  them  useful  for  th® 
purpose  they  are  intended  for,  they  must  be  given  sufficient  room  t® 
extend  in  light  and  air,  so  that  large  principal  leaves  are  formed  which 
Avill  build  up  good  basal  buds  for  subsequent  pruning  to.  Stop  them 
at  the  seventh  leaf,  and  the  sub-laterals  to  one  leaf,  and  rub  out  weaker 
growths  from  the  old  wood  competing  with  them. 
Old  Vines  may  be  improved  by  dispensing  altogether  with  ancient 
rods,  especially  when  knotted  and  gnarled  spurs  so  prevent  a  free  flow 
of  sap  that  only  weak  annual  growths  are  produced.  To  cut  the  old 
rods  boldly  down  is  a  desperate  remedy,  and  will  certainly  result  in  no 
crop,  but  strong  growths  start  and  in  time  prove  fruitful,  'bhe  usual 
Remove  spurs  as  before.  The  same  course  may  be  pursued  annually 
until  a  new  rod  has  been  fully  built  up,  and  the  old  one  can  be 
removed.  All  young  canes  must  be  kept  in  a  depressed  position, 
or  the  lower  buds  will  not  break  well. 
The  cleansing  of  the  rods  must  follow  pruning,  using  some 
approved  insecticide  for  softsoap,  4  ozs.  to  the  gallon  of  water,  in 
which  a  little  sulphur  is  dissolved.  Work  the  mixture  well  into 
every  crevice.  The  barbarous  method  of  peeling  off  bark  should  be 
avoided,  but  any  very  loose  portions  may  be  removed. 
The  woodwork  and  glass  of  the  house  ought  to  be  effectually 
cleansed,  but  when  the  paint  is  in  bad  condition,  a  fresh  coating 
should  be  given,  white  always  being  preferable  for  the  interior  of 
glass  houses.  Limewashing  the  walls  is  a  process  which  must  not 
be  omitted,  using  newly  slaked  lime. 
I'ry  borders  must  be  moistened  with  water  or  liquid  manure, 
'  and  the  surface  of  borders  renewed  with  an  inch  or  two  of  fresh 
compost.  Free  ventilation  in  favourable  weather  should  be  given  to 
all  ordinary  vineries  until  March,  when  they  may  be  kept  closer  and 
the  Vines  encouraged  to  break  freely. — E.  D,  S. 
