Abstract: A trellis for supporting horizontal wires to train grape vines whose canes grow upwardly. The trellis comprises a post which is set in the ground and a pair of tubular metal arms attached at their lower ends to opposite sides of the post, the arms having a bend therein to create above ground a symmetrical goblet-like form in which the portions of the arms above the bends diverge outwardly with respect to the post. The arms are bridged by a rigid cross brace which is attached at its ends to the arms at a point intermediate the bend and the upper end thereof, the brace being secured to the post to rigidify the structure. Bored at corresponding positions in the arms are three sets of holes, one set being adjacent the upper end, the other at about the intermediate point, and the third at about the bend.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the area of vine growing and specifically with posts or trellises for attached vines. The vine post in the invention includes a lower post with the support means for the training wires and holes allowing the passage of a cross pin and an upper part sliding with respect to said lower post and supported by said pin. This upper part has, at its upper end, means of support for at least two raising wires. The utilization of the vine post in the invention notably facilitates mechanized cutting operations, through the lowering of its upper sliding part. The components of the vine post in the invention are advantageously made of inoxidizable steel.

Abstract: A tree support of self-stabilizing type including a pair of yieldable assemblies each comprising a first hook adapted to be attached to the upper portion of a stake, a second hook having a yieldable covering adapted to be attached to the trunk of a tree to be stabilized, and a tension spring having opposite ends respectively connected to the aforementioned hooks and extending therebetween. The pair of yieldable assemblies are connected between a tree to be stabilized and a pair of similar vertical stakes spaced at opposite sides of the tree and spaced from the tree sufficiently that the springs of the assemblies are under at least limited tension and the assemblies being operable to return the tree to initial vertical position regardless of the direction in which the tree is swayed by wind or otherwise.

Abstract: A trellis assembly for grape vines, and other vines, and which includes an upright stake, a cross-arm secured to the upper end of the stake, tensioned trellis wires which are received in slotted holes at the ends of the cross-arm in a sliding relationship with the cross-arm, and clips mounted on the trellis wires at the ends of the cross-arm which extend over the ends of the cross-arm and engage the trellis wires to prevent any tendency for the cross-arm to turn and collapse due to the weight of the vines supported thereby.

Abstract: A cross arm unit for supporting wires such as in a grapevine supporting trellis. The cross arm unit has an elongated arm member which is secured to a socket member transversely related to the arm member. The end portions of the arm member are reverse curled with the ends being spaced from the remainder of the arm member to provide wire-passing slots. In one form of the invention the socket member is of square cross section with the arm member bisecting the passageway of the socket member so as to form a stop facilitating frictional mounting of the cross arm unit of the top of a post. When the post is of standard metal construction, the socket member will be arranged so that the arm member crosses its passageway diagonally. When the cross arm unit is intended for mounting on a wooden stake, the socket member will be arranged so that the cross arm member is normal to one set of side faces of the socket member but parallel to the other set.

Abstract: A method of cultivating fruit bearing trees which involves the use of frame supported training wires, tapes or the like which extend row wise down either side of trees within a different row. Row wise extending members are provided so that a twin leader tree has each leader with oppositely and row wise directed supported laterals at preferably four levels. In addition each lateral has extending outwardly therefrom and supported by further row wise extending wires, tapes or the like fruiting branches from the laterals which by a combination of weaving over or under the same become progressively enmeshed therewith and thus are supported in a layer manner which will ensure an increased yield but at the same time facilitate the machine harvesting of any such fruit.

Abstract: Viticultural process with which manual vine dressing or pruning during vine growing can be eliminated. Producing twigs are cultivated from the hanging vine shoots, the twigs having short sprouts, while producing twigs are cut back to eliminate periodicity. Alternatively or additionally, known chemical growth retardants are employed, mainly on the buds and the blossoms. The vine-dressing machine has at least one dressing mechanism on an arm that can be rotated and tilted in addition to being adjustable in height. When of a mechanical construction, the dressing mechanism may include a circular saw or blade for shortening or cutting back the already formed vine shoots, producing twigs and/or other vine parts that need to be spaced apart. The dressing mechanism may also be constituted by a spraying or pulvering attachment with conduits for applying the chemicals that impede or retard budding, and/or to retard blossom growth.

Abstract: An all-metal grape stake is provided that includes an elongated metal upright member which is rolled to have a V-shaped cross-section with flanges extending along its two edges. The grape stake also includes a cross-arm in the form of a metal strip which extends across the upper end of the upright member and which has a bent-over upper edge extending across the top of the upright member. A V-shaped bracket is mounted in the center of the cross-arm, and this bracket receives the upper end of the upright member. In assembling the grape stake of the invention, the upright member is first driven into the ground, and the cross-arm is dropped over the upper end of the upright member until its upper edge engages the top of the upright member, with the upper end of the upright member being received in the bracket.

Abstract: Pairs of upstanding wire-like members have their lower ends positioned adjacent each other and anchored in the ground in longitudinal spaced relation to each other. Adjacent wire-like members of adjacent pairs extend upwardly across each other and form spaced apart upper end portions. Each upper end portion terminates alongside the upper end portion of a next adjacent wire-like member of a next adjacent pair of wire-like members to form spaced apart pairs of upper end portions. A sleeve-like connector element telescopes over the crossed portions of adjacent wire-like members. A connector member extends between and detachably connects the adjacent pairs of spaced apart upper end portions.

Abstract: A growing frame for plants is provided wherein the framework consists of aluminum members which support a plastic netting. Single or multiple sections can be provided and a simple method is provided for fastening the netting to the frame and adjusting the tension on the netting.

Abstract: A wire retaining clip has a mid-portion extending across the back of a vineyard post and forwardly extending arms with helical turns on the ends thereof. The retaining clip is engaged with a tensioned, horizontal trellis wire so that the trellis wire is bent sharply rearwardly of the front edges of the post and is locked into the turns of the clip. The retaining clip prevents the trellis wire from pulling away from the front of the post, prevents movement of the post along the length of the trellis wire and utilizes the tension of the trellis wire to restrain twisting of the post. An installing tool provides for easy installation of the retaining clips.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supporting and training plants and in particular for layering tomato plants. It comprises a longitudinal stem portion formed with an integral hook which is adapted to grip and slide along a support wire which is mounted above and parallel to the plant row, and a spool rotatable about a cylindrical bearing surface of the stem portion. The spool carries a support cord which passes upwardly from the spool, through an aperture in the top of the stem portion and down through the hollow interior of the stem portion to where it is tied to the stem of the tomato plant. When it is desired to layer the plant the stem portion is moved along the wire and simultaneously the spool is rotated to pay out sufficient cord to layer the plant. Rotation of the spool is controlled by means of ribs on a flange of the spool which engage with the horizontal support wire.

Abstract: An elongated, integrally-formed member simulating natural wood bark along one surface is provided with snap-fit interlock means for interconnecting, both longitudinally and laterally, with one or more like members for selectively increasing length and/or cross-sectional size to best accommodate the height and size of one or more vine or vinelike climbing plants to be supported. Each member is of arcuate cross-sectional shape to simulate natural wood bark board strips, and is adapted to lateral inter-fitting connection with one, two or three additional members for selective increase in cross-sectional size as required.

Abstract: An elastically resilient fastening clip is described which serves in particular for the fastening of trained fruit trees, vines, or the like to horizontally extending training wires. The clip comprises a slit loop the slit of which is widenable outwardly for introduction of a twig or the like part of the afore-mentioned plant and, after passing the plant part therethrough, closes again under the clamping effect of the loop of the fastening clip exercised at both sides of the slit. The clip further comprises hook parts bent at angles away from the slit in the loop; and, when the clip is fastened to the training wire, a contact zone of the loop opposite the slit is destined to lie essentially along one side of the training wire, and the slit and the adjacent hook parts are destined to lie on the other side thereof.

Abstract: An improved plant support structure formed of relatively rigid, bent steel wire. In one form, the plant support comprises a plurality of wire elements each formed into a plurality of diamond-shaped segments with each element mutually interconnectable to a like element by means of a plurality of rigid, frictional, releasable wire interconnections. In an alternate form, the plant support of the present invention is formed of a longitudinal wire fabric web comprising a single strand of wire formed into a plurality of mutually interconnected transverse strand segments each bent into a zig-zag shape and interconnected to the next adjacent strand segment by means of frictional twisted wire connections. The plant support structure may be open fence-like trellis structures or closed substantially cylindrical structures.

Abstract: A trellis arm and a support wire therefor. The arm has a hole in the first end to swingably attach the arm to a trellis post and a notch in its second end to receive the trellis wire. The support wire overlies the outer end of the arm, extends under the trellis wire and is attached to the top of the trellis post.The support wire may be in the form of a continuous loop.Various types of trellis arms have been proposed for supporting grape trellis wires but these trellis arms have not been as simple and efficient as is desirable.