V. 2, notice which branches are pruned by the Lord. It is those who are bearing fruit, not the dead and useless ones. The tumultuous and difficult life of a Christian is a good sign that he or she is bearing fruit. Fruit bearing , the image of Christ, is totally contrary to our fallen nature. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord .
Molding involves continual pruning, or cutting away of the dead and useless things from our lives.
The vine is planted in soil that is usually unsuitable for anything else, e.g., cereal grains. The stones are normally gathered from the ground that is to be used for vines. Walls, terraces and even towers are built out of those stones. Of course, vineyards in Scripture always had a wine press . The soil can be dry for 7-8 months of the year.