I * i *'( (, Mr LIBRARY O^CONGRESS. -C7^«p.. J^!-^- 3.13 Shelf .. ^^^2^- TJNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE THOMERY SYSTEM GRAPE CULTURE. FROM THE FRENCH. By M. Du BREUIL ^1 ^ NEW YORK: GEO. E. WOODWARD & CO., 31 BROAD STREET; ORANGE JUDD CO., 245 BROADWAY. . /P-ri, ' -a .V Sb PRACTICAL STANDARD PUBLICATIONS or GEO. E. WOODWARD. Harney's Barns, Outbuildings and Fences. J a8t published and containing Designs and Plans of Stables, Farm Barns, Outbuildings, ' Gates, Gateways, Fences, . StabI Fittings and Furniture, fully described with nearly 200 DIub irations. Royal quarto extra. Post-paid, Stx Dollabs. Woodward's National Architect. 1,000 DesignB, Plans and Details, for Country, Suburban and YUlagii Houses, with Perspective Views, front and side elevations, eectlous, fSD detail drawings, sneciflcations, and efctimates. 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Monckton's National Stair-Builder. A complotfl work on Stair-feuilding and Hand-Raillup. Pnlly Bxpialned and Illustrated by large Scale Diagrams, in two colors, with Designs far Stair-Cases, Newels, Balusters and Hand-Rails. Royal quarto. Post- paid, $e.oo. Monckton's National Carpenter and Joiner. A complete work, covering the whole science of Carpentry, J0IJ1M7, Rooting, Framing, etc. Tally Explained and Illustrated by larg« Seal* Diagrams, in two colors. Royal quarto. Past-paid, $6.00. 1 — . Copley's Plain and Ornamental Alphabets, with examples iu every style also, the Mechanical and Analytical Con struction or Letters. Fitock is shaded by the upper cordon, while the greater part of the opposite arm escapes this unfavorable influence. The result is an inequality of growth between these two arms, and it becomes necessary to employ certain processes, often unavailing, to maintain a pro- per equilibrium of growth between the two arras from the main stalk. To obviate this difficulty, in 1828, M. Charmeux, senior, invented a new description of horizontal cordon, which has been adopted by alaiost all the cultivators of Thomery for the trellises which they have since erected. The plan is as follows; u THE TIIOMEEY SYSTEM OF GRAPE CULTUKE. 15 The distance between the superposed cordons, the length of the latter, and the distance between the stocks, is the same as in that of the horizontal cordon of Thomorj. The Charmeux cordon differs only in the order in wliich the stalks successively put forth t''.e cordons forming the trel- lis. Thus, in tiie Thomery cordon, the first stalk (a, Fig. 3), produces the first lower cordon ; the second stalk (b) the second cordon, and thus to the highest cordon of all, in such a fashion that the whole number of stalks form, from one extremity of the trellis to the other, a succession of distinct steps. On the contrary, in the cordon of Charmeux, (Fig. 5), the first stalk (a) furnishes the first cordon, the second (b) the fourth, the third (c) the second, the Jifth (e) the third, to com- mence again by the (irst cordon, and continue in the same man- ner to the end of the trellis. The design of this trellis upon tht> wall is made as easily as for the preceding arrangement. The desired purpose of this contrivance is completely attained. Not only the cordons are not unequally shaded, during the first years of their growth, but they corn -jletely escape this influence until the age of about five years. If tlien they are subjected to this shade, it is equal for both arms, and is brought first to bear upon the ends of each cordon in such a manner as to moderate their growth to the advantage of the bearing shoots nearest to the main stalk. Veutical CoiiDON. — This disposition, to which, absurdly enough, the name of " palmette" has been given, has been applied to the trellises of Fontainebleau to a small extent for about forty years, and ten years later to some trellises at Thomery. The fol- lowing is the principle. The vines, planted 39.37 inches apart, are allowed to develop a single stalk, which rises vertically to the top of the wall. This stalk presents on each side a series of branches irregularly disposed. The shoots annually developed from these are trained obliquely in the space by which each main stalk is separated. This system of is susceptible many improvements. It 13 evidsnt. for example, that the interval of oun metre (39| inches) 16 THE TIIOMERY SYSTEM which separates each main stalk, is too great when the shoots are trained obliquely and not perpendicularly from the main stalk upon which they grow, as is the case in the trellis of which we have spoken. Moreover, the irregularity with which Kg. 6. the branches are distributed upon the stalk causes an unequal distribution of sap, and its determination to certain points, whe- ther of superabundance or scarcity, resulting in the destruction of the shoots less favorably situated. Vertical Cordon with alternate Shoots (Fig. 6). — M. Kose Charmeux has brought this new arrangement to perfec- tion in the following manner. He plants the stocks at a dis- tance of 28 inches one from the other; then he regularly distri- butes the slioots on each side of the stem, inaking them spring alternately every 10 inches in such a manner that ihey may be separated by an interval of 20 inches on the same side of the stem. We shall find, in discussing the method of pruo'c^, how perfect regularity in this respect may be obtained. OF GEAPE CULTUKE. 17 The trellis thus arranged presents the follow Ing advantages. In scorched and dry soils, the stocks and the horizontal branches arranged in the manner previously described suffer much from the heat of the sun, from which they are very imperfectly shaded by their leaves. In tlie trellis with alternate shoots the main stallis are completely covered. These cordons may therefore be usefully employed in dry soils. Besides, these cordons are suitable for the most confined space, since they require only 28 inches. But this vertical cordon cannot be conveniently applied against a high wall, for as the sap tends toward the top of the plant, the shoots toward its base become feeble and languishing. We have remarked this fact at Fontainebleau, where the wall which supports these cordons is 13 feet high. It is our opinion that the main stem should not be allowed to exceed 80 inches. If the wall is higher, the following modification (Fig. 7) may be used, equally due to M. Rose Charmeux. For a wall 13 feet high the stocks are planted only every 14 inches ; then the stalk of eacli is allowed to rise alternately to 66.4 inches and to 13 feet ; but the latter commence to bear shoots only directly above the point where the first cease — tiiat is to say at 06.4, In tliis manner the wall is completely covered and the cultivator has not to dread the destruction of the lower shoots. The trellis wnth vertical cordons which Ave have just de- scribed is simpler and more easily formed than those with horizontal cordons ; but experience has shown that its produce is less abundant, since for an equal surface it dffers a smaller number of branches. M. Eose Charmeux, struck by the advantages offered by the simplicity of this arrangement, has attempted to render it as fruitful as the horizontal cordons. He completely resolved the problem in 1828 by means of the following modification, which gives for the same surface of wall a greater number of shoots and consequently a greater number of clusters. As this new arrangement is at once more simple, and more easily obtained than the others, and as it may be accommodated to walls of aU heights, we recommend it to the exclusion of other plans, and 18 THE THOMEKY SYSTEM Fig. 7. we shall choose it to study in detail the method of cultivatioa and pruning suitable to trellised vines. OF GBAPE CULTUKE. 19 CULTIVATION OF TEELLISED VINES, ARRANGED WITH VERTICAL STEMS (CORDONS) BEARING OP- POSITE SHOOTS. In this new arrangement (Fig. 8) the vines are planted at the foot of the wall every 14 inches. The wall, whatever be its height, is horizontally divided into two equal parts. The first vine stops at half tlie height of the wall. The second is allowed to reach its summit, and thus continue in this manner alternately to the extremity of the wall. The reader will observe that the shorter vines bear shoots from about 12 inches above the soil to their tops, and the taller begin to bear shoots only on leaving the lower half of the wall. These pairs of slioots are 10 inches distant from each other. This arrangement offers all the advantages presented by the form shown in Fig. 7 ; that is to say, that in consequence of the length of the main stem fur- nished with shoots, these last are maintained in equal growth. Moreover, the new form grows more shoots for the same sur- face than is shown in Fig. 7, and more even than the horizontal cordons. If, however, the wall is only 39 inches high, all the vines may be made to rise regularly to its summit. But in that case they should be placed at intervals of 28 inches and should be furnished with branches from 12 inches above the soil to the top of the wall. Let us now turn to the labor necessary to the establishment of such a trellis as the one described above. Walls peopek fok the Teellis. — The vine arranged in ver- tical cordons accommodate themselves to waUs of all heights. At Thomery the gardens are subdivided by bearing walls parallel to each other and separated by a space of from 40 to 46^ feet. They may, however, be placed nearer to each other, but in that case the earth between will be too much shaded, and cannot be turned to account These bearing walls are only 85 inches high, and were built many years after those of inclo- Bure ; that is to say, when the young vines which it is intended they shall support, have been carried thence by many successive 20 THE THOMERY SYSTEM Fig. 8. OF GRAPE CULTURE. 21 laverings (coucTiages). Thus the interest of the capital employed in these constructions is economized. Some of the cultivators of Thomery have also constructed a sort of counter espalier — tliat is to say, a lesser wall opposite the principal bearing wall, in masonry 45 inches high and 6 to 8 inches thick. Only one of these little walls is placed 100 inches in front of the principal walls the most favorably situated. In this manner they derive every possible advantage from their best exposures. This subdivision of the inclosures not only enables the ciilti- vator to obtain a larger harvest, but it likewise offers the advantage of diminishing the currents of air, concentrating the heat by the radiation, and thus hastening the ripening of the grape. It has sometimes been attempted to use for trellises the walla by which terraces are supported. The superfluous moisture of the soil draws to the bottom of the wall and injures the vine stalks. For almost every other kind of fruit-tree very projecting copings offer more inconveniences than advantages, but for the vine the case is different. On the one hand, these copings take place with those movable fruit-houses which we have recommended for cov' ering espalier trees in order to preserve them from the chills of the spring ; and on the other, they shelter the vine from the mois- ture of the rains and dews, which results in a more active vege- tation and a more prolonged development, injurious to the ripening of the grape. Finally, these projections preserve the clusters from the first cold weather of the autumn, and thus delay the time of gathering and facilitate their preservation. All the walls of Thomery are finished by tile copings. Their projection is greater in proportion to the height of the walls, being 14 inches for walls of 156 inches, 12 inches for those of 117 inches, 10 inches for those of 100 inches, 8 inches for those of 80 inches, and o^ inches for the little walls of the counter espalier. In the last case they are inclined only from one side. The walls thus built are white, being covered with lime. This color at Thomery has given the most satisfactory results. When the method of construction allows, smooth finished walls (palissage a la loque), should be used; we may then dispense 22 THE THOMERT SYSTEM with the trellis. Bat the great quantity of plaster required by this arrangement renders it oo expensive to be used beyond a certain distance frorr. Paris. We must have recourse to frames, and for the fortt of trellis of which we are speaking, they should be erected in the following manner : A series of galvanized iron wires (No. 14) are extended along the wall. Upon these wires laths are fastened every 12 inches, and to these laths the main stem of each vine is trained alter- nately to half the height and to the summit of tlie wall. Exposure of the Walls. — The trellised vine demands an exposure at once as dry and as warm as possible. In the north and the centre of France this double condition is best fulfilled by a southeast exposure. A southern exposure is doubtless the warmest, but the trellises with such an aspect also receive too directly the damp winds and rains of the southwest. The culti- vators of Thomery use the side of their walls exposed to the west and to the southwest, but gather from thence grapes of the second or third quality only. Propagation of the Vhste. — On the different modes of pro- pagation to be chosen for a trellised vine, we would offer the following observations. Slips or cuttings propagated from layers are often used in forming trellises. When intended for a permanency, they are planted in the manner which we will proceed to describe. They begin to bear fruit only in tlie fourth year. They should be used only in the absence of the layers themselves, for whose first fruit we are not obliged so long to wait. The layers, or as they are called at Thomery, the clievelees^ are generally to be preferred, for wheu they are transjJ.anted with care, and their roots are not dried by exposure to the air, their vegetation during the first years is more vigorous, and thus time is gained. Two sorts of layers are used — uncovered layers and layers in baskets. The unco- vered layers (Fig. 9j are freed from all the earth which surrounds them, when they are planted for a trellis. When planted with care, they will begin to bear at the end of threa years. The basket layers (Fig. 10) are prepared in the follow- ing manner. In the spring is made an osier baskut (d) of au OF GU.^PE CUr/lTTRE. 23 Fig 9. oval form and 12 inches long by 10 inches broad, and having a depth of 10 inches. These baskets sliould be made of green osier, that they may remain intact during a year. When the proper time for making the layer has arrived, tlie shoots to be operated upon being before chosen, a hole is pierced in the bot- tom of the basket at the point a, by which the shoot enters; each basket is then placed at a depth of 6 inches in the soil, and they are then filled with earth of good quality, to which has been added a portion of vegetable mold. Lastly, the top of the shoot is then cut in such a manner that only two buds or germs are left above the soil, and tlie whole is sustained by a prop. The operation is terminated by taking off all the buda on that part of the stem situated between the mother branch and the basket. This suppression is necessary to prevent these buds from absorbing the sap in their development at the expense of the layer. During thi summer the two buds on the layer 24 THE THOMERY SYSTEM Pis. 10. freely develop themselves, and put forth abundant roots, so that at the end of the year the layer is ready for use. The whole is then taken up and the layer hardly suffers at all from the sepa- ration from the parent stalk. This undoubtedly is the best method of propagation, and is that which is preferred at Tho- mery. Unhappily, on account of the expense attending the transportation of the basket layers, the cultivator is often com- pelled to use the unprotected layers, or cheveUes. Graft. — As to the graft, this mode of propagation, or multi- plication, is employed for trellised vines only as an exception, and in circumstances analogous to those which render this operation necessary in ordinary vineyards. "We have in the preceding part of this volume described the graft ^'- en fenU OF GKAPE CULTUKE. 25 houture'" as one of the best for the vine. If, howeve-;-, a cJieveUe may be used, it is to be preferred to any other for tlie purpose. It is planted near the vine, and the operation is con- ducted in the same manner as for the graft. The great advantage of the cheveUe is that it bears fruit the following summer. An essential precaution, and one which is equally applicable to the three methods of propagation above mentioned, is the proper choice of the shoot intended to furnish the graft, the cutting or the layer. The shoot should have borne fruit during the year, and should be strong and in a healthy condition. The clusters should have been such as to exhibit in the highest degree the distinguishing qualities of the variety which it is desired to cultivate. Before the grapes are gathered, the shoots which appear the best suited for this purpose should be marked. Plantation and Peooess of Bedding oe Laying the Teellised Vine.— i^V«« Fear.— The superabundant moisture with which tlie soil is always impregnated during the winter is especially injurious to the roots of the newly-planted vine; it causes them to decay. The end of the winter, when the earth is drained sufficiently, is the time which should almost always be chosen for planting. There is do exception to this rule, but for dry and scorched soil like that of central and southern France. In such ground it is better to plant at the beginning of winter. The following is the process employed for layers in baskets ; If the land to be used is new, or if it has not lately been tlio- roughly cultivated, it should be dug during the winter to a depth of 32 or even so deep as 89 inches, if the soil is pebbly. The soil thus spaded up should extend to witliin 53.2 inches of the base of the wall. In the preceding chapters we have already spoken of the necessity that the soil should be such as to conduce to tlie healtli of the plants which it is intended to support. Such a soil is particularly essential to the vine. It may even be advisable, after tlie first spading mentioned, to carry it to a depth of 48 inches, and to widen it to an extent of 89 inches. The permeability of the soil sliouM alr^o be 26 THE THOMERY SYSTEM increased by the mixtures of earth already described, and the earth in all cases should be richly manured. "When the land is thus prepared, in the spring, a trench is opened 17 inches deep in dry, 20 inches deep in wet soils. The outer edge of this trench is 28 inches from the wall. The earth taken from it is deposited on each side. Vegetable mold, or compost, mixed with earth, is then spread over the bottom. In this trench the baskets containing the layers are placed. Should the soil be very dry the trencli may be opened at 89 inches from the foot of the wall, instead of 28. A greater length of the stem is then bedded before it reaches the wall, and the roots, spread over a greater space, will more easily find the portion of moisture which they require. The space to be left between these layers is of course determined by that which it is intended shall be left between the vertical cordons upon the wall. If the cordons are intended to be 14 inches distant one from the other, the layers are separated by an interval of 28 inches, as after they have been laid, each layer should furnish two branches at the foot of the wall. A number of layers might be planted equal to the number of stems supporting the cordons, which are intended for the wall ; but in that case they would be separated by a less interval, and would, as it were, starve each other. Moreover, the number of layers being greater, the expense would be increased. It will, then, be more advisable to proceed in the manner just described; at all events, in those cases where the wall being only 39 inches in heiglit, all the stems are to extend to the top. "When the stalks from the layers are separated at the base of the wall by an interval of 28 inches, the number of basket layers planted is equal to that of these stalks. If the first process is adopted, the layers are planted at the point a (Fig. 11), in the centre of the space by which the stalks against the wall are divided one from the other. In tlie second case, the layers are placed at the point a, in front of eacli of the points indicated by B. The layers are planted in the following manner : From each OF GKAPE CULTURE. 27 Fig. 11. layer composed of two shoots, the least vigorous one is sepa- rated. The roots wliich issue from the basket are left un- touched, provided that they are not broken, or dried by exposure to the air. This being done, at the bottom of the trench, and on that side Avhich is farthest from the wall, a hole is made 6 inches deep and a little larger than the basket whicli it is intended to receive. In each of these holes a basket is placed in such a manner that the end of the shoot which it contains is turned toward the wall. Tliat and the basket should be 10 inches below the level of the soil. A little notch is then made iu tha 28 THE THOMERY SYSTEM npper edge of the basket on that side nearest the wa!!, so that the shoot may be easily turned in the required direction. Then on that side of the trench nearest the wall, and in front of each basket, is made a smaller trench, as is shown in the figure at d, 3 inches deep and 10 inches long. In this the shoot is carefully laid, and it is filled with ear+h mixed with vegetable mold up to the level of the soil. The first trench is partly filled with the earth which was taken from it, mixed with vegetable mold. This operation is performed in such a manner that the trench is left empty to the depth of 8 inches, that the layer is buried to the depth of 10 inches, and that the top of the basket is covered by a bed of earth 2 inches in thickness. The operation is con- cluded by cutting off the shoot, as it leaves the earth just above the bud E, or that which is nearest the ground. The sap being thus concentrated upon a single bud, it attains a more vigorous development, and that part of the shoot which is buried, puts forth more roots, which pierce the bark with greater ease, in proportion as the leaf-buds from which they spring are nearer to the light. The end of the shoot above the earth is fixed upon a stave or prop 39 inches in length, and the remainder of the earth taken out of the trench is piled up on each side in the form of a shelving bank. The result of this last arrangement is to retain a greater degree of moisture in the neighborliood of the newly-planted shoot during the summer. "When the cultivator has no layers in baskets at his disposal, and is obliged to content himself with uncovered layers or even with cuttings, they should be planted in the same manner aa the basket layers, only care must be taken to place the earth firmly around the cTieveUes and especially around the cuttings, and all that part which is under ground should be surrounded with earth which has been considerably enriched. "We will now proceed to describe the attentions demanded by this plantation during the next summer, "When the bud e is developed, it is fixed upon the prop. As soon as it has attained a length of 20 inches the top is cut off; next the premature twigs which are thus developed are removed when they are 4 inches in length. The res lit ol tliis opei-ation is to increase OF GEAPE CULTUKE. 29 the size of tlie stem by limiting the evolution of the antici- p:it(^ry shoots, and to accumulate iu a small space all the nutri- tive juices taken up by tbe roots. It also i)romotes the increase of the roots along the newly interred layer. No bunch of grapes is allowed to remain on this shoot for fear of weakening it. The whole plantation should also receive two or three dress- ings in the course of the year. They should be applied, if possi- ble, after rather a smart shower of rain, and when the earth has slightly drained. If the soil is liglit and dryness is to be appre- hended, the trench and the little ditch should be covered with a bed of manure 6 inches in thickness, besides that which has already been applied, and finally, the trench is filled with the earth banked up on each side. After this operation, the whole appears like Fig. 11. Second Year of the Plantation. — Toward the end of February, the shoot developed during the preceding year is cut at A (Fig. 12), above the three buds nearest to the base, then it Pig. 12. is attached to a prop 53 inches long which replaces the hrst. When the shoots have attained a length of 6 infhes the laterals are pinched out, so as to preserve only the shoots from the three buds just described. These shoots are fixed upon a prop in proportion as they grow loa.irer. They are not allowed to exceed the j)rop by which they are supported, and the process of nipping otf the buds is continued. Should 30 THE TIIOMERY SYSTEM the shoots on the props be very vigorous, two clusters, at the mo?t, should be left upon each, and should be treated in the manner which we will explain in the proper order. The same attentions are bestowed as in the preceding summer, and tlien a light dressing in November. The result then obtained is shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 13. Third Yeak. — Relaying. — In good weather in the first of March, or, if in the South, in the autumn, the layers must be examined in order to know if they have put forth shoots suffi- ciently large and vigorous to be relaid. If uncovered layers, and still more, if cuttings have been planted, the cultivator will be obliged to wait till the following year and even to the year after to repeat the process of bedding or laying. The roots on the previously bedded shoot will not be sufficiently numerous, they would injure in their development the new layer which it is intended to put down, and the future health of the stalk des- tined to be placed against the wall would suffer. In that case only the two finest shoots of the young stalk should be pre- served. These are cut to a length of only 6 inches, and upon these only a single shoot is preserved during the summer. Should they not be strong enough for relaying in the following year, the same operation is repeated. The stalks obtained from layers in baskets may almost always be rebedded fi-oin the third year. In that case the following method is employed. A OF (tKAPK cultuke. 31 treni;li 24 to 30 inclies deep, according as the soil is more or less exposed to dampness, is opened at the foot of the wall, and is made wide enough to reachth* young vines (Fig. 14). Tlie \.^ft/LJ^J<'^C earth round the young vines is loosened with care until they turn naturally of themselves into the trench, in the bottom of which they are then placed in the manner shown by Figs. 14 and 15, that is to say, if each principal vine stalk is intended to produce two stalks to be trained on the wall (Fig. 15), the two Fig. 15. 32 THE TIIOMERY SYSTEM most vigorous shoots should be preserved, and they should ha carried obliquely toward the wall, and from two stalks at the points B. If, on the contrary?, it is intended that each principal stalk shall furnish but one stalk for the wall (Fig. 16), only Fig. 16. the finest shoot is preserved, which is buried in the trench and directed toward the wall at the point b, where it is intended to be trained. In both cases the shoots are covered as far as the foot of the wall by a bed of mixed soil and vegetable mold about 4 inches in thickness (Fig. 16). The trench is then filled with part of the earth which was taken from it, and the re- mainder is heaped up in a shelving bank at a distance of 40 inches from the wall, in order to preserve the moisture in the neighborhood of the newly laid vines, and thus facilitate a plentiful development of roots. The upper extremities of the buried shoots are fixed at the base of the uprights of the trellis. These shoots are cut so as to preserve only the three buds nearest the base. This opera- tion being concluded, the trellis presents the form shown in Fig. 14. If the plantation of layers or cuttings has been in a trench at a distance of 40 inches from the wall instead of 28 inches, they must he brought to the foot of the wall only after a tliird lay- ing, otherwise we should be obliged each time to cover too large a part of the shoot, which, as we shall see further on, wiD OF GEAPE CULTURE. 33 prevent them from properly taking root, and so injure tlie strength of the viae. If this method of planting for the trellised vine is compared with that used in the majority of gardens, it will be seen that it is very different. In fact, the vines are almost ahvays planted directly at the foot of the wall, and the only pa.-t buried is that which was originally below the soil ; so that the vine, the roots of which ramify with great difficulty, cannot, when thus, planted, develop new radical organs upon the stems below the soil. It puts forth roots with great difficulty, it is long in recovering from its transplantation, and its vegetation is never vigorous. On the contrary, by adopting the mode of cultivation used at Thomery, which we have just described, the vine is placed under much better circumstances. The first year there is buried, besides the stem first covered with roots, 10 inches of the shoot, which during the two or three years preceding the relaying, covers itself with vigorous roots. Two or three years after this, 14 inches of the shoot are again laid, whicli in a little while is completely covered with roots. Each stalk intended for the wall is then provided with an underground stem 44 inches in length, bearing through all its lengtli numerous and vigorous roots, which give to the vine more strength and hardi- ness than is possible when the method of which we spoke first is used. When uncovered chevclees, or those in baskets are used, the cultivator may be tempted to lay at once a length of shoot sufficient to bring the upper end directly to the foot of the wall, a length, for instance of 24 inches. This is a very bad plan, for the stems do not properly take root only upon the 12 to 14 inches nearest to the upper ends, because the woody and cortical fibres which run down from the buds to produce roots are not sufficiently numerous to put forth roots enough, and they pierce the bark at the same time that they meet the soil. It is desirable to lay only 14 inches at tlie most, if it is intended that the underground stalk shall be fully provided with roots throughout its whole extent. Method of Prhnixg adopted fok the Veetioaij.y Teel- 34 THE TIIOMEEY SYSTEM LiSED Vine wirn opposite Shoots. — Constrtjction' of the Feame. — First Tear. — The shoots having been laid and brought to the foot of the wall, the buds are watched in their first deve- lopment to see that they are not harmed by caterpillars, snails, or other destructive insects. When the three shoots have attained a length of about 6 inches, the stipulary shoots Fig. 17. (A, Fig. 17), which often grow by the side of the shoots properly so called, are taken away. Then, when they are about 12 inches long, we begin to break the tendrils which uselessly absorb the sap. This breaking of the tendrils is continued through the period during which the length of tlie shoot increases, and should be put in force while the tendrils are yet so soft that they may be easily broken. That is also the time which should be chosen to begin the formation of the stalk intended to be trained upon the wall. The following is the method then employed : Let us suppose that one of these young stalks is represented by Fig. 17. From the three stalks which have been preserved, one is chosen having a leaf 12 inches above the ground. Let us suppose in our figure that this is the second shoot on leaving OF grapp: culture. 35 the ground, and that the leaf aforesaid is situatx^d opposite the second cluster. This chister is taken off and the shoot is cut immediately above this leaf, as in b, Fig. 18. The top of the two Fig. 18. Other shoots is then removed in order to hinder them from too great a growth to the detriment of the shoot upon which it is intended to operate. We may then proceed to train it upon tlie frame. The slioot under treatment is placed in a vertical posi- tion, and the two others are attached at an angle of forty-five degrees. A premature stipulary shoot will be seen immediately to spring from tlie axil of tlie leaf of the cut shoot (a, Fig. 18). This shoot should be broken when only an inch or two in length, 80 that the bud b at the base of this shoot is forced to develop itself. Before long this bud gives birth to a shoot fig. 19. 36 THE TIIOMERY SYSTEM (a, Fig. 19), which is allowed to grow, and which is trained vertically. These young main stalks require no other care dur- ing the summer, so far as the frame is concerned, than the complete suppression of all the premature stipulary shoots Fig. 20. (a. Fig. 20), or of premature shoots commonly so called, as alsu of the tendrils. Upon each shoot should be left only the clus- ters and D and the primitive leaves. These attentions should be given each year to all the shoots preserved. Second Year. — The stems operated upon in the manner just described present the appearance of Fig. 21. They are then subjected to the second pruning. The two shoots (b) are com- pletely taken off by cutting the first at a. Then the premature shoot is cut at d immediately above the bud situated near the 37 Fig. 21. base. During the following summer this bud develops itsell aa ■well as the germs immediately below it upon the secondary shoot, Fig. 22. 38 THE THOMERY SYSIEM indicated by the letters e e, which is called the spur (talon ), The number of buds on the spur may be three or four. But two buds on the spur, one on each side and one at the top of the slioot, are preserved. The produce of the buds e e is entirely removed. This last operation is performed as soon as the shoots from the spur have attained a length of 4 inches. When the remaining shoots are fastened to the frame, the young vine presents the appearance of Fig. 19. "When tlie centre shoot (b) puts forth, as it increases in length, a leaf above that point where the first pair of lateral shoots is attached, it is cut ahoxe this leaf at the point a, as in the preceding summer, in order to obtain from the axil of this leaf a new shoot for tlie formation of a second pair, which must be treated in the same manner. The two lateral shoots are subjected to the same operation. Third Year. — In the following spring each stem on the walls Fig. 23. presents the appearance of Fig. 23. The shoot a is cut at tho point B, in order to obtain the same result as in the preceding year. As to the branches o, they are cut near their base in order to form the two first coursons or double branches shown OF GRAPE CULTURE. 39 Big. 24. in Fig. 24. The same development takes place during the sum- mer below the point b, as well as the same operation upon the new terminal shoot. The product of the buds d is removed. Fourth Year. — Fig. 24 shows the result of the operations performed during the preceding years. The same method of pruning is practised one year after another until the trellised vine has covered the space for which it was intended, when it presents the appearance shown in Fig. 7. All that we have just said applies to those stems which rise to half the height of the wall. Those which extend to its top grow more rapidly during the first years. During the summer, After the layering by which they have been brought to the wall, two shoots are left upon each of the three first shoots. The 40 THE THOMEKY SYSTEM following year, at the winter pruning, the strongest of the three shoots resulting from thence is chosen ; the two others are taken away and the remaining one is cut at 20 inches above the point where it is attached to the frame. In summer it is allowed to retain but three buds, which give place to three new shoots. The best of these is again chosen and extended also to 20 inches. The same process is repeated till the vertical stalk reaches the point where it is intended to support lateral branches. Then the same series of operations is employed as in the first case. This method of forming the main stalks has this advantage, that each pair of lateral branches being separated by a regular interval of 10 inches and by a knotty place at the point of attachment of the successive extensions, the course of the sap is arrested below every one of these knots and thus obliged to act with the same intensity on all the lateral branches of the same stalk. Such is not the use in the vertical cordons which are more rapidly formed, as they are more extended at each pruning. Caee necessaet to the Lateral Beanches. — First Tear. — The essential principles of pruning the lateral branches are the following : In the case of the vine, the clusters are attached to "*C^0.i .S^Jr^ <^i Fig. 25. shoots proceeding from the branches of the preceding summer (Fig. 25). The shoots accidentally developed on the old wood never bear grapes (Fig. 26). The farther the buds are removed from the base of the branch, the more fi-uitful are tlie shoots to which they give rise. OF GRAPE CULTURE. 41 Fig. 26. Ilence it appears that the shoots should be left entire, or be left very long. But in that case we immediately encounter the following inconveniences. Thus, if the shoot in the Fig. 27 is cut in B, the buds o and b are the only ones which will bo Kg. 27. Kg. 28. developed, and we shall have in the following year the result shown in Fig. 28. If, then, we trim the shoot at tlie points A and B (Fig. 28), we shall have two new shoots produced at the top of the shoot b. Continuing to trim in this manner the lateral branch or immediate support of the young shoot increases in length each year from 4 to 6 inches, and thence results great confusion through the whole extent of the trained vine, and moreover, a progressive enfeeblenicnt, or, as it were, starvation, of the new shoots, and, consequently, an immediate diminution of fruitfulness. On the other hand, if the slioot in Fig. 27 is cut so as to 42 THE TilOMEKY SYSTEM preserve only the bud A, this bud is so near the old wood that the shoot produced from it will bear no grapes. It will be best, then, to cut this shoot (Fig. 27) as shoi't as possible, to hinder the lateral shoot from increasing in lengtli, but in such a manner, however, as to preserve a bud far enough from the old wood to produce grapes. Experience has shown that in order to attain this double end, the shoots from varieties of only a slight or average degree of strength should be cut above the two buds tlie nearest to the base, one of these two being that bud which, hardly visible, is on the base of the shoot itself — that is, just where it springs from the stalk (Fig. 27). Two new buds are developed, and in consequence, two new shoots. The branch will tlieu present tlje appearance shown in Fig. 29. Fig. 29. The shoot A has borne clusters during the summer. Tlie shoot B is too near the old wood to have produced anything. It is called the shoot of replacement — that is to say, it is that intended to undergo the next pruning. For that, almost all the old wood is cut from the top of the spur. Then the shoot B is cut above the two buds nearest its base. During the summer two new shoots are thus produced, and each year the same method of pruning is repeated, so as to allow the old wood to increase as little as possible in length, and keep tlie fruitful shoots as near as possible to the direct channel of the sap. Such is the method of pruning applied to the braaclies intended to bear grapes for t!ie table. Tliere are, nevertheless, varieties so hardy that, should they be subjected to thi.s process, no fruit, or very little, would be OF GKAPE CULTURE. 43 obtained. The diffcreiit varieties of muscats, the Frankentlial, and others which we have noted in our list, are of this descrip- tion. For these, tlie shoots should be left a little longer. They are cut off below the third bud. This difference does not result in increasing the length of the lateral branches. In fact, such is the strength of these vines that three shoots are obtained from each lateral branch. That from the top, which generally bears the clusters, is the one preserved, then that at the base, intended to imdergo tlie next year's pruning. The intermediate one is suppressed. The same operation is each year repeated. Disbudding the Lateral BRANcnES or Coursons. — When the coursons are cut so as to preserve but two or three buds, it will often happen, nevertheless, that a larger number will be deve- loped. Only two, at the most, should be left at each point. The shoot a (Fig. 80). nearest the old wood, is preserved as a shoot of replacement, togetlier with that farthest from the same rig. .so. 44r THE TIIOMEKY SYSTEM point B. The latter generally bears the cluf»ters. Tliere are, however, two cases in which but a single shoot should be left on the courson. First, when none of the shoots of the courson bear clusters ; then a single shoot, that from the base, is useful as a shoot of replacement. By the others being suppressed, the remaining one becomes stronger and will yield finer fruit in the following year. Second. When the two shoots of the courson both bear clus- ters, wiiich occasionally occurs in very fertile years. As it is advisable to leave only two small clusters or one large one to be supported by each courson, as we will presently explain, a retrenchment will be necessary. In this case, the shoot from the base only is preserved, and it will become at the same time a fruit-bearing shoot and a shoot of replacement. In conse- quence of this retrenchment the shoot in question will acquire more strength, it will bear better grapes, and the new shoot will afford the finest products of the following year. The proper time for putting in practice these different trim- mings, is, as soon as the young clusters make their appearance upon the shoots, that is to say, when they are about 10 inches long. We must repeat Avhat we have said concerning the cut- ting of the shoots — that there should be left upon each one of the shoots preserved only the clusters and the primitive leaves. Then all the supplementary shoots and the tendrils should be removed as soon as they appear. PixoHiNG THE Shoots. — The buds on the shoots of the vine, as on those of other trees, should often be pinched back. The end of this operation is to prevent the shoots from confused growth, to diminish the growth of some of the shoots to the profit of feebler ones, and finally to favor the development of tlie grapes by enabling them to profit by the sap, which would otherwise pass to the shoots which would spring from the buds destroyed. in order to obtain thc^e different results the buds on the shoots should he pinched olf as they develop themselves to the length of from 16 to 20 inches, and their extremities only should then be cut. OF GKAPE CULTUEE. 45 Manner of fastening the Shoots in Stjmmee. — The shoota of the vine are fastened in order to prevent their being broken hy the wind, and in general this fastening should be twice prac- tised upon the same shoot. The first fastening is made when the shoots have attained a length of about 12 inches. Then the shoots are but slightly compi-essed in the rush which serves as a ligature. Otherwise, in growing, they would break them- selves. Fifteen days after this first fastening, we proceed to the second, or recoUaffe, as it is called by the cultivators of Tho- rnery. At this time the shoots are tied as close as is necessary to arrange them conveniently. This process of fastening should be successively made for the different shoots of the same vertical main stalk, and by beginning with the most vigorous we may equalize their strength. The shoots of the vertical cordons should be inclined at an angle of forty-five degrees. Eexewal of the Coursons. — We have seen that in spite of the care which has been taken to keep down the spurs by an annual trimming, to the shoot nearest the base, they will always increase a little in length, and the shoot which they bear will diminish in vigor in proportion as they are removed from the point where the spur or lateral branch is attached to the cordon or vertical main stalk. In order to remedy this incon- venience, the shoots which sometimes grow at the base of the Bpurs are carefully preserved, whatever may be the age of Kg. 31, 46 THE THOMEEY SYSTEM the spurs from whicli tbey spring. Then, of the two upper shoots, that which boi'e the worst cluster is suppressed. Tho following year the spur is cut at a, Fig. 31, and the shoot b is cut above the two lowest germs or eyes in order to form a new courson or spur. Replacement of the Spues (Coxjesons). — Sometimes also cer- tain spurs disappear entirely or are not developed where they are expected, and in either case spaces are left which it becomes necessary to fill. This accident may be remedied by the graft. Care of the Geapes. — It is in particular the intelligent labor bestowed upon the grapes from their first appearance to their maturity to which the cultivators of Thomery are indebted for their success. The following are the processes adopted : SuppEESsioN OF THE SuPERFLUors BuKCHES. — Too large a quantity of grapes upon the vine produces the same result as a superabundance of fruit upon other trees. A great quantity of grapes are gathered, but the clusters and the berries are small, and the vines are enfeebled for the following year. If the neces- sary retrenchments are made, the same result in weight is obtained, and the grapes are larger, better flavored, and com- mand a higher price. Thinning the BuNcnEs. — When the berries have attained the first stages of development, it will be proper to thin them. Pft. 32. OF GRAPE CULTURE. 47 With a straight, pointed pair of scissors ^xe cut from each bunch— first, all the abortive berries; and secondly, tliose in the middle of the bunch, together with some of those which, although on the outside, are too much crowded. If the bunches are very long, as is often the case with young and vigorous vines, the point of the bunch (a. Fig. 33) must also be removed, since the berries whicli it bears would be slow in ripening. The result of this thinning is, that, other things being equal, the grapes are ripe fifteen days earliei*, the berries are a third larger, and those intended to be kept through the winter will keep better. The tliiiiuing practised at Tlioniery is performed by women, and is applied to at least half the harvest — that is to say, 500,000 kilogrammes of cha-selas. Gatheeing the Leaves. — At the time when the thinning takes place should also be applied the first epamprement^ or picking oft" the leaves. At first only the leaves turned toward the wall and those more or less broken or distorted are removed. When the berries begin to look transparent, a second epampre- ment takes place. A few leaves on the front of the vine are then removed in situations where the foliage is thick ; but the leaves which shelter the branches, the parasols, are preserved with care. Finally, when the berries are entirely cleared, and begin to turn yellow, the leaves which shadow them are removed. If they are exposed earlier the berries will harden and cease to increase in size. The bunches thus uncovered are exposed alternately to the dew and the sun, by the action of which they acquire that beautiful pale yellowish brown which distinguishes tlie chasselas of Thomery. Black grapes require particular care in this respect. The first removal of the leaves should not take place till the grapes are completely colored. These successive strippings of the leaves from the vine result in progressively arresting the annual growth of the vine, a long time befijre it would otherwise cease. The fruit, therefore, sooner begins to mature, and will be completely ripe by the first cold weather. 48 THE TIIOMEEY SYSTEM Protections. —The very projecting copings which we have recommended for trellised vines are insufficient, if the wall is more than 80 inches high, to protect the grapes from the damp- ness of the atmosphere. It will then he advisable to place a movable pent-house at about half the height of the wall after the last gathering of the leaves in the middle of September, This pent-house should project about 20 inches. Annular Incision. — By ringing, girdling, or breaking; intended to hasten fifteen days the ripening of the grape, and which will increase also fully a third the size of the berry. Renewal of the Trellised Vine. — The trellised vine, attended in the manner we have described, will bear fruit for more than fifty years. But there comes a time when the suc- cessive renewal of the spurs produces upon them so many knots that the circulation of the sap is interrupted. The vege- tation becomes languishing, many of the coin-sons wither, and the vertical stems themselves finally perish. When this state of decrepitude first manifests itself, the cultivator proceeds to the renewal of the vine. All the vertical stalks are cut at about 8 inches above the soil (Fig. 33). This trimming concentres the action of the sap upon tliis point, and so develops a certain number of shoots. During the summer the most vigorous are chosen and the others removed. The following year the reserved shoot is cut above the third bud, and the same care before described is applied to the three resulting shoots. Then the process is continued as for the establishment of a young vine. To assure its success, it is well to remove, from the time when the shoots are suppressed, as much earth as possible from the foot of the trellis without injuring the roots of the vine, and we should apply abundance of manure, which should be covered with a bed of new earth nearly equal in thickness to that removed. When the trellis to be renewed is in a state of advanced decrepitude, and when a certain number of vertical stalks are completely withered, and the regularity of the whole is lost, we proceed in a diti'erent manner. Each vertical stem is cat off, as we have said, above, and those which are dea