98 OPEN AIR GRAPE CULTURE, 



being raised up around each such mound, being at 

 least 18 inches high. The soil of which it is made 

 should be taken from the centre of the rows, as, if we 

 take it from about the plants, we only cover the stem 

 to expose the roots. 



Where the vines are left tied to the stakes, we pre- 

 fer to leaving them unpruned. True, most of the 

 wood gets killed, but this is of little moment since it 

 is to be nearly all cut away at the spring pruning. 



MANAGEMENT DURING THE SECOND YEAR. As soon 

 as the severe frosts of winter and early spring have 

 passed away, uncover the young vines, and if not 

 already pruned, cut them to a good bud within 9 to 

 14 inches of the ground. They should be shaded for 

 a few days from the sun and cold, which may be very 

 well done by sticking a shingle before each, though 

 two shingles placed so as to form an angle in which 

 the vine may stand, will be better. We have now 

 arrived at a point where it will be necessary to 

 decide upon the peculiar system to be adopted in the 

 training of our vines. Instead, however, of describ- 

 ing all the different modes of pruning and training 

 in this place, we shall give only that which we consi- 

 der best adapted to the native American varieties and 

 leave the consideration of the others to the chapter 

 on general pruning and training. 



