The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1909-05-06
Pruning Grapes,

Professor Locke, of the Terri
torial University, furnishes the
following information about the
culture of grapes in Arizona:
When we consider the pruning
of grape vines, it should be re-
membered that the varieties Of
grapes most commonly and sue
cessfully grown in Arizona be-
long to the vinifera or Old World
type Of grapes, examples OF
winch are the MBscat and Mis-
sion. The method of pruning
these vines differs radically from
that customary with the native
American grapes (such as the
Concord and Niagara) in the
eastern states. American grapes
are always trained upon supports
or trelliseS of some sort and are
pruned according to some renew
al system. Vinifera grapes on
the other hand are rarely, ex
cept in the case of certain varie
ties, trained upon supports, but
are pruned so as to assume the
shape of Il miniature tree and
eventually support their own
weight. During the first three
years the entire energy OF the
vine is directed into the proper
forming Of the framework OF the
top, and all vines should be
staked during this formative pc
riod. If the vineyard is started
from Cuttings, it is not necessary
10 place tie stakee until the FOL
lowing winter. If rooted vines
are planted, especially if the soil
is moist and rich, it is best to
stake the vines when they are
planted. Strong stakes = inch
es square and feet long should
be driven into the soil for one
half their length. This permits
of the vines being headed at
about 10 inches. For Thomp-
sons Seedless, q 6foot stake
driven feet into the ground
will be needed. The treatment
during the first few years is of
the greatest importance TO the
future welfare Of the vine, and
mistakes Or neglect at this time
will cause continual trouble
Well rooted vines on we'll
watered ground should make a
very vigorous growth the first
year, and upon the Station farm
we have found that a whole year
may be saved by beginning the
training at once. When planted
such vines are cat back to two
0r three strong buds AS soon
aS the shoots from these buds
&re two OF three inches long the
strongest is selected and the
ethers rubbed off. When the
shoot which is to form the main
trunk of the vine is Il inches
long it SHOULD be tied to the
stake with strip Of cloth or
very coarse twine. At this time
any suckers arising from below
She ground should be removed.
As soon as the shoot has groWn
ten inches beyond the top Of the
stake it should be cut OF even oy
an inch OF two above the top OF
the stake. This will force out
Iaterals whe*e they are needed
so form arms OF spurs. If the
growth of these is too rapid and
succulent it is best to pinch them
back, 1t should be remembered
shat the removal Of many large
Beaves weakens the plant, and
pinching the bud from a shoot
when it is Of the desired length
is far better than to allow it tc
grow. longer and then cut il
back.
During the following winter
two, three or four of these lat
erals should be selected and ar
ranged as symmetrieally as pos
sible near the top Of the vine
They represent the first Smbs
or branches and should be pFnn
cd back to two or three strong
bads. During the foliow7ne
summer the vines must be Y5si