The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-05-26
ia J. RM AND GARDEN D
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO
AGRIcULTURIsTS.
= Some mo Up to-Date Hints About Gull
tiva '5iIEat OF tho Soil and Yields
I Observation-Disclosures viticu1ture and
B Horticulture. &
Grape Vine Traininp

j, 3 Z 10
=. G.. Lodeman, in Department of
Agriculture Report: The 'aBrocton
nigh renewal" system is plainly diff
1erent from the Brocton horizontal.
Inc number Of canes put up is gener-
ally from four to eight, and these are
cut sufficiently long to reach just above
Ihe top wire. These canes are taken
from as near the center of the head
OF the vine as possible, as is done in
the ordinary high renewal system, and
the number OF short arms and spurs
IS reduced even to a greater extent
than IN the latter system. The canes
may spring from wood that is from
Two to several years of age The prin-
clpal test as to the desirability of a
cane is not so much whether it origi-
mates from this or that kind of wood,
but rather if it be strong, healthy and
properly matured throughout it's avail
able portions.
Many vines may be found in the
Chautauqua vineyards in which these
Two systems appear to approach each
other. Some vines have rather short
arms, which are nevertheless perma-
nent. and others have been reduced
nearly to the dimensions of branches.
Inc short arms are very often found
upon the lighter Soils or where tho
plants have been too closely SET These
gradatlon forms are treated practically
the same as the types in regard to
methods of renewing, pruning, tying,
etc. In pruning, or BLOCKING" the
vines trained upon either of the Broc-
ton systems, the process is practically
the same as described elsewhere The
number of buds which the vine is to
carry is first estimated. Then the
number of canes necessary to supply
the buds is determined; and the next
step is the selection of desirable canes
and their pruning at the proper point
After the vineyard has been stripped"
the vines are seen to consist of stems,
arms, branches and spurs, and of loose
canes. The canes must now be tied
to the wires. Formerly this was done
by means of willow twigs, but since
1894 the use of wire for this purpose
has steadily increased. The wire is
applied as follows, The top of the cane
is pressed away from the operator
against the top wire of the trellis; the
tying wire, which should be a piece of
annealed No. IS, about four inches
long, is now placed with it's center
against the cane in a direction parallel
with the trellis wire, but trifle above
it; with the two thumbs. one on each
side of the cane, the tying wire is bent
forward and downward; the forefin-
gers OF each hand now press it still
1arther down, and then bring it back
ward. so that the thumbs may again
press 1t upward and over the wire.
This tie is extremely firm, and, as
there are no growing parts beyond it,
there is no danger of girdling the cane.
This method is to be commended for it's
cheapness, rapidity, efficiency; nor do
the wires present any serious obstacle
to stripping the vines If other parts
OF the vine require tying before the
growing season, soft Irvine or willow
may be used; such ties should, hoWev
er, be made loose, else the free flow
OF sap may be Obstructed.