CULTIVATION OF THE VINE. 155 



the prop afresh. The supporting stake should 

 be planted on one side of the vine, inclining the 

 top in an oblique direction, so as to bring it be- 

 tween the horns of the plant, the inclination, of 

 course, keeping the point of the stake at the 

 greatest allowable distance from the foot of the 

 vine. The stake when set in the ground should 

 be firm and solid, and so strong as to be capable 

 of resisting the winds, to which it will in the 

 course of the season be necessarily exposed. 

 When charged with its full foliage, the vine will 

 be heavy, and it will be prudent to subject each 

 stake of the vineyard to the proper test. To as- 

 certain this important point, let the stake be 

 drawn by the top, from side to side, and if, 

 from the elasticity, it return to its upright po- 

 sition, it may be safely trusted with the sup- 

 port of the plant. In the vineyard of the 

 plain, the stake should be planted perpendicular 

 to the ground, and in that which occupies the 

 side of a hill, it should range with the inclination 

 of the ground, and lean towards the summit of 

 the hill. 



