H6DRT'ICuLTIJEAI.

PRUNING OF GRAPE VINES,


 J. $. SKINNER, ESQ.

 1t is often asked US, when Is 1t the proper time for pruning grape vines? We observe in the works upon the vine, a great discrepancy of opinion on this par tieuIar part ef its culture. Ccbbet, Ad- lum, Prince, Loubat and Gimbrede, ad- vocate the performance of this opera tion in the fall months; whilst McMa- hon, Forsyth, and others, contend that early spring pruning is preferable.

 That this is an all important proce- dure to the health, duration and profit Of the vine, no one can contend to the contrary; but we are inclined to be- iieve, that the great stress urged on the particular tifae 1t should be done, does not deserve the consideration, which has been given it. In accordance with our observation, the time bears but lit tie relation in importance to the npa,apaer of its performance, provided we shall have it finished before the commence fneft of the circulation of the juices pe- culiar to the vegetable. Hence the difference of time, observed in the wri- tings Of the different individuals upon this subject, who have, no doubt been guided if their choice, by the effect of climate upon the production of early and latf vegetation. Some insist 1t should be done, about the middle of Oc- tober, or at the fall of the leaf ssrather than deferit till spring, because the ten der parts of those young shoots, if left on, are subject to decay in winter; or they are apt to grow late in the year, so the tops of the shoots are tender, and early frosts will pinch them, and then they frequently are killed down con siderable length, which weakens their roots; but if they are cut off early in au- tuma, the wound will heal over before bad weather, and thereby the roots will be greatly strengthened.o On the oth- CT side, among the advocates for spring pruning, McMahon tells us the prope1 time for this operation, in the middle states, he coneeiyes to be the latter end of February, or first week in March, much earlier in the southern states. and very little later in the eastern. Forsyth cautions us, not to prune till the begin- ming of February, unless in case of an uncommon forwardness in the season. it IS common, he continues, with some, to begin pruning soon after the fall of the leaf, before the zvood becomes hard : but if the frosts set in before the soood is hard, especially after wet summers and autumns it will be much injured. He has seen vines almost killed after aattu- 1anal pruning. In the Yinedresser's Manual, by Thieaut dc Berneaud, which book should he in the hands of every cuitlvator of this most important vege- table. It IS remarked, that the principal point IS to know and seize the ripbt lime for pruning. To do if too soon advap- ces vegetation and exposes the youno buds to thenipping of the cold, or even ? spring frosts; if too late ii retards the development of the buds, and perhaps destroys the fruit buds by their becom. ing drenched with she bleeding sap dur ing the night; CT perhaps late frosi happens, and finds the retarded sprouts SC backward and tender that it will en tirelY destroy them. In some warn countries pruning should be performed after the fall of the leaf; it gives the grapea greater chance for ripening ant becoming sugary; but to prune in tho fail or bcgi'oniag of the winter in colo countries IS imprudent; it is proper tt wait until the back frost is over. and | should only De done when the weathe,