414 ANNUAL REPORT. 



soils, while a hillside and southern exposure is preferable. I 

 think that I would take level land in preference to a clay hillside. 

 My i<lea used to be that a clay hillside underlaid with limestone 

 was the best possible exj)osure for grapes. That is true in the 

 East, but in Minnesota I think the sandy land is preferable. I 

 believe that if it is worth while to plant grape vines at all it is 

 worth while to go to considerable expense to prepare the ground. 

 I would trench the ground in rows running north and south, 

 eight feet apart and at least three feet deep. The expense of 

 properly preparing the ground is a very small item in compari- 

 son with the increased yield. If I were to plant on level sandy 

 land, I think I should trench at least eight feet deep and three 

 feet wide. I should fill the trench with stable manure, arui at 

 least ten loads to the acre of refuse from the butcher shops, and 

 the last two feet with good soil mixed with sand. I would plant 

 the vines over that trench, planting them about six feet apart. 

 I would plant the Concord seven feet, the Delaware five feet, and 

 the intermediate varieties about six feet; making the average 

 about six feet. I think it is a mistake to go to the expense of 

 poles and wires for at least eight years. I would keep the vines 

 back and not allow them t-o fruit for the first three years. I 

 would secure two-year-old vines grown from old layers. I con- 

 sider them the best vines for planting. They certainly will come 

 into bearing earlier, and are more sure to live than any other 

 vines I have ever planted. I would cut away about half of the 

 root and all of the top but two or three of the highest, and let 

 those set up above the ground, being careful to firm it well in. 

 There is no necessity of watering, simply pressing the ground 

 well in. The first year I should pinch off but one bud. In the 

 fall I would cut them back, the Delawares about a foot and the 

 Concords about twice that. Cover them with earth, and over 

 the earth a mulching of stable manure. Leave that on until 

 the leaves begin to start in the spring. Then uncover the vines 

 and let them lie on the ground for the first ten days or two 

 weeks. Provide stakes three or four feet long and drive in and 

 tie the vines up to them. I would let two new buds grow from 

 as near the ground as possible, and let them run on the ground 

 the first year. I would cut these back at least a foot, and if 

 they were not very strong, about six inches. The next year I 

 would have fruit from those new vines. I would encourage two 

 new buds from as near the ground as possible each year. I 

 would not practice what so many do, that is summer pruning. 



