204 GRAPES. 



We have practiced cutting them much shorter than 

 this and had the best results, and it saves time in 

 planting. 



These vines are grown from cuttings as will 

 readily be seen, and this cutting should be entirely 

 covered when planted. It has been in the ground 

 for one or two years and has become practically a 

 root instead of a cane as it was. The root of the 

 grape is very sensitive to drying', and if the greater 

 part of this cane-root is left exposed to the air there 

 will be great loss. There is no one thing that 

 causes so much loss to the planter as this. Slant 

 the cutting to the north at an angle of about 45 

 degrees. Spread the roots out in a natural position 

 but do not make the mistake of placing them in a 

 downward direction. The root of a grape keeps 

 near the surface, and should not be given much of 

 a downward direction below the bottom of the 

 cutting. They must not be allowed to dry, for they 

 will perish in the sun or wind almost as quickly as 

 those of an evergreen. 



Cultivate thoroughly but not so deeply as to 

 interfere with the roots which run very 

 near the surface. It will not be necessary 

 to put up trellises till the third year, though 

 there will usually be some fruit the second. 

 It is better to set the posts for the trellis about 16 

 feet apart, and they should be extra length, say 8 

 feet or 10 would be better, so that when firmly set 

 in the ground the top wire can be 6 feet from the 

 ground. These should be set about a foot or more 



