Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1891 — THE VINEYARD. [ARTICLE]

THE VINEYARD.

Winter-Pruning lhe Grape. Tills may be done any time after the leaves have dropped, and the buds are in a dormant state, without Injury to the vine or materially affecting the growth of wood or fruit the following season. While a majority of experienced grapegrowers think that no one particular time has any advantage over another, so far as the next season’s crop is concerned, there is quite a diversity of opinion on this subject among a few of the knowing ones, who make it a rule to carry out their particular notions. Some prune in the fall, others in the winter, and others in the srring, and all with about the same results; which goes to prove, to my own satisfaction at least, that it is immaterial when it is done, so far as affecting the following season’s growth of wood or fruit There is an old adage, however, that reads thus: “Prune early for wood, and late for fruit” There are some who profess to, believe in this, and only carry it out in part, as their desire for fruit is so strong they are very sure to prune late every time, and still they have plenty of wood. With my own experience for n any years, with both early and late pruning side by side, I have not been able to see any difference in favor of either. I would, therefore recommend pruning at any time that best suits convenience, while: the vine is at rest, the weather pleasant,, and the shears sharp