MY WAY OF LAYING OUT THE VINEYARD. 417 



MY WAY OF LAYING OUT THE VINEYARD AND 

 PLANTING THE VINES. 



A. D. I.EACH, EXCELSIOR. 



Having decided on the amount of land to be planted and having 

 put it in good condition as for a crop of corn, provide yourself with 

 three or more stakes (as the lay of the ground may require) nine 

 feet long. Carefully mark each stake at seven and one-half feet 

 from the bottom end. Stick them up in a straight line across the 

 piece where you want the first row. Then with a steady team and 

 plow, make a straight furrow where the first row is to be, using the 

 stakes for guides, and moving them over as you come to them, seven 

 and one-half feet for the second row. Having reached the end of 

 the first row, measure off for the second, marking the ground where 

 that row is to start ; then set that stake over for your guide in the 

 third row, follow the stakes back, moving them over as you come to 

 them as before. In marking the third row, set the stakes over nine 

 feet or the full length of the stakes, making the space between the 

 third and fourth rows nine feet. After the fourth row is marked 

 two more rows seven and one-half feet apart, — then one nine, and so 

 continue (making the distance between every third and fourth row 

 nine feet) until all the rows are marked. 



Then turn and cross-mark where the vines are to be set in the 

 same way every eight or nine feet — as you may prefer. I like nine 

 feet apart best for most vines. 



If the land should be. too .steep to cross-mark, then the best way 

 will be to set the vines by a pliable wire-line stretched along the row. 

 Carefully mark the distance apart you want your vines by winding 

 a thoroughly waxed string two or three times around the wire, and 

 tying firmly so it will not slip. Then set your marking stakes across 

 the rows about two feet outside from where you want the first vine 

 in each row, in a straight line. Now procure a good strong stake 

 and fasten your wire firmly to it, as far from the first string as your 

 guide stakes are from the place where you want the first vine, in each 

 row. Drive your stake in line with your guide stakes, and also in 

 line with the first row. Take the wire along the row to the other end 

 of the plat, fasten it to another good stake, stretching it tight along 

 the furrow or row and about a foot from the ground. If the ground 

 is uneven, stakes may be driven along the row where needed, and 

 the wire fastened to them with staples to hold the wire up or down, 

 as the case may require. I like the furrowing much the best where 

 it can be done, as it does away with all sighting and line-stretching, 

 and saves some digging for the vines, if well done. 



My reason for the wide rows is that I have found it very ditfi- 



