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56 "ANNUAL REPORT, 
times I-spade a second time, but Sila use the hoe after the 
first’ spading. I take good care to clear off the ground entirely, so 
that the sun can ripen the fruit in the autumn. 
Mr. Kenney. Cannot the horse be used to save mantel labor ? 
President Smith. On level ground, and where the vines are 
planted deep, it might cheapen the cultivation, but mine are on a 
side-hill and the land is valuable, so I do not want to leave land 
to turn the horse upon. 
Mr. Grimes. How late do you cultivate ? 
President Smith. Up to the picking time, if necessary. 
Mr. Grimes. Aside from the weeds, how long is it necessary 
to keep the ground mellow? 
President Smith. I keep it loose and mellow up to the time of 
picking. I prefer ashes and lime for fertilizers to farm- yard ma- 
nure. I like the potato-hoe for loosening the soil. 
Distance. 
‘Mr. Kenney. How far apart do you set ? 
Pres. Smith. Eight feet each way. If land were plenty, would 
set ten to twelve feet each way. 
Quantity of Fruit. 
Mr. Kenney. How much fruit do you allow to each vine? 
Pres. Smith. To the Delaware, not more than ten pounds. 
I have grown fifteen pounds on the Delaware, and twenty-five 
on the Muscadine. Overbearing injures the crop for the following 
season. From a certain number of vines I got 3,000 pounds last 
year ; this year only 500 pounds, and no ripe ones. 
Messrs. Grimes and Kenney had had similar experience. 
Pres. Smith. After fifteen years’ experience, I do not want a 
vine to bear over ten pounds of fruit. 
Mr. Dart. Was not the difference in the two years due to dif- 
ference of season ? 
Pres. Smith. J have had the same experience several times, and 
sometimes the Delaware has been killed by overbearing. A Bos- 
ton grower limits his vines to seven pounds each, and gets the 
best price in market for these. 
Pruning. 
Mr. Kenney. What average length of vine do you leave in the 
fall? 
