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WineEast quality included comparisons with hand- harvesting and factors such as optimal fruit temperatures at harvest and the delivery time interval between harvest and processing. Economics was another factor to be considered. The cost of the harvesters led to the development of attachments that would enable the harvester to be used for other purposes such as pre-pruning or carrying spray equipment. Other studies included the yields obtained and the harvest losses incurred through the use of harvesters. The next vineyard activity to be mechanized was balanced cropping through the use of pruning to fine-tune the crop level with shoot-thinning and, if needed, fruit-thinning. This chapter, longer than the one about mechanical harvesting, uses the same format. The early efforts made to mechanize pruning and related research are all covered in detail. The next step involved the development of a total system of mechanization. As Morris put it, "As the vineyard activities related to harvest and achieving balanced cropping became mechanized, it was realized that commercial prosperity of the grape industry would eventually rely heavily on complete systems of vineyard mechanization. Such systems would include mechanization of shoot and fruit thinning, summer and winter pruning, shoot positioning, cordon and trunk scrubbing, leaf removal, canopy management and harvesting. Further, it was recognized that these mechanized operations must not cause excessive damage to the vines or reduce fruit yield and/or quality while, at the same time, reducing cost." Research began at the University of Arkansas as early as 1966 to adapt, develop and evaluate machines and vineyard-management techniques that would lead to complete mechanization. Subsequently, a cooperative effort between Justin Morris and Tom Oldridge, a grapegrower and inventor, resulted in the Morris-Oldridge System. The system provides plans that detail the sequence of steps, the appropriate equipment and timetables for each vineyard operation on each of the major trellis configurations used throughout the world. Wines & Vines nOVeMBeR 2011 93 Labels for Wine, Spirit & Food Offering: Flexo Roll Printing Indigo Sheet & Roll Printing Die Cut, Foil Stamping & Embossing Branding & Design Services Knowledgeable of TTB Regulations www.wrightlabels.com Tel (800) 678-9019