_Winter Pruning, or Pruning Hard Wood._--The pruning of vines comprises two different processes. The first one has for its object the shaping of the vines, the second one similarly the shortening of the branches properly so as to enable them to bear better fruit. These two points must always be kept in view, much more so of course during the first few years, before the vines have reached their bearing age. But even in after years the pruning must be so conducted, that the shape of the vine is not changed so as to interfere with the work in the field, or with the perfect development of the grapes. As regards the shape of the vine, it has been decided that in our raisin districts the Muscat requires to be pruned low, in order to properly protect the grapes from sun and wind. The head should be as low as possible, or even rest on the ground, and in no instance be more than a few inches above the same. Many of the bunches will then rest on the ground or hang a few inches above it, and experience shows us that such low bunches are the best and those which produce the finest raisins. Tall Muscat vines never produce as sweet and as large bunches or grapes as those headed low, and their grapes are apt to sunburn or be otherwise checked in their growth. During the first year, the young vine should be cut back to a single stem, it being enough to leave two or three eyes above the ground. The second season these canes should all be cut away except three, which are to form the future head of the vine. Each one of these may be cut to two eyes, thus leaving six eyes on the vine. In the majority of vines, the head should by this time have been formed, as the following year will be the first year in which the vines will bear.