The Columbus journal., 1898-03-23
Training Grape Vines.

E. G. Lodeman. Department Of Aeri-
culture Report: Training, on the other
hand. is almost wholly a matter of
convenience. It does not affect the
strength of the vine or the value of
the crop In any essential particular.
The training Of vine refers to the dis
posal or arrangement of the various
Parts of the vine after pruning has
taken place. The method of training
adapted determines the operator to
leave certain growths in certain posi-
tions, not because more or better fruit
is expected, but for the reason, per-
haps. that the fruit may be harvested
with greater ease, that laborious op-
GRAFTON may be wholly dispensed with,
or that there may be less danger to the
maturing crop from winds or other nat
ural agencies. The method of training
adopted by a vineyardist is largely the
result Of personal preference or of ed
ucati0n, although soil and variety are
important factors in the selection of a
system. The health and vigor of the
vine are rarely affected by the method
In which 1t is trained. and although
some system of training must be adopt
ed in every vineyard. still altogether
too much weight has been laid by most
horticultural writer's upon the peculiar
merits of the various systems. while the
actually ruinous effects of bad pruning
have not always been sufficiently en-
phasized. A vine properly trained is
desirable, but properly pruned vine
is essential to the highest success. The
importance of this subject necessitates
a somewhat detailed statement of the
principles which are vitality connected
with the proper pruning of the vine.
These principles serve also as the foun-
dation for all systems of training, and
they can not be ignored without more
or less injury to the plants.
ID The amount of fruit which a vine
can bear and mature In highest perfec-
tion is limited: when this limit is ex-
ceeded the fruit deteriorates.
(2) Upon the fruit the effect of over.
production is to reduce the size of the
berries and Of the clusters, and prob-
ably also to impair the quality; the
vine makes q poor growth, the foliage
is small and the vigor of the plant is
generally reduced. When q vine has
been allowed to overbear. especially
when It is young, years may some
times be required before the vine re-
turns to its normal condition.
(3) A plant that is carrying less
fruit than 1t Is capable of maturing
generally produces very heavy foliage
and an excess Of wood. This may prob
ably be explained BY the supposition
that the energies Of the plant are d.
rected almost entirely to vegetive &C.
tivity.
a. The most dificult and important
feature Of grape pruning Is to be able
to Judge Of the kind and amount of
wood which should be allowed to re-
main upon the plant. This amour. il
dependent upon soil. variety. climate.
character Of the season. and to q linn
ited extent upon the method Of train
ing. The paramount importance OK
having a properly balanced top and
root system IL most fully realized BY
American vineyardists Of long expe-
rience. Years Of study, especially the
study Of the variety Of crane AMI of
the soil upon which It is growing, are
brought to bear upon each indivi lual
vine when It 10 pruned. and In no d.
rection can the skin Of the vineyardis
b mos0 clearly demonstrated thaa n
questions regarding the amount and
kind Of bearing wood that b allowed
to remain. No rule-ol-thuub viii COW
q living and sensitive organism Tor