46 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Of the older Tines, I weighed and sold last year, from one- 

 fourth of an acre planted four years previous, 2,900 pounds ; 

 these were all sold and delivered within ten days after picking, 

 for twenty cents a pound, amounting to 8580. There were also 

 some few pounds of an inferior quality not sold. 



Concord, September 10, I860. 



Statement of Thomas F. Hunt. 



The vineyard which I offer for consideration, for the purpose 

 of showing, and illustrating my method of cultivating hardy 

 grapes, is located upon the southern slope of Ponkawtasset Hill. 

 The soil is a light gravelly loam, a part of it very stony, stones 

 of all sizes, some weighing two or three tons. About one-half 

 the ground was covered with whortleberry bushes, briers, and 

 some small pitch-pine trees, and I suppose was never ploughed 

 until it came into my possession. 



Preparation of the soil : The ground was cleared of brush, 

 wood and stone, and ploughed ten inches deep ; stable manure 

 composted with swamp muck, at the rate of thirty cart-loads to 

 the acre, spread and covered with the harrow, and potatoes 

 planted. The following spring, manured as before. The ground 

 was then ready for the vines, which were set in rows running 

 east and west, eight feet apart and seven feet in the rows. The 

 variety planted is the Concord. 



Setting the vines : I threw out the soil as deep as planted, 

 and in circumference from three to six feet, according to size of 

 plant, and with pick or bar loosened the subsoil ten inches deep ; 

 I then threw back a part of the soil, crowning it a little in the 

 centre ; upon this spread the roots evenly, covering them with 

 the best soil. Some vineyardist of reputed experience recom- 

 mends deep trenching and high manuring. They should also 

 add, a long purse well filled. This may be the best method for 

 some varieties of grape, or where the object is merely for show ; 

 but for open culture in our vineyards, whether of large or small 

 extent, it will not pay. My method of training in the vineyard 

 is upon stakes, two to each vine ; it is cheaper than the trellis, 

 and the ground is much more readily kept in order, as there is 

 nothing to prevent running my cultivator either way, which 

 leaves but little for the hoc, and the vine is accessible at all 



