THE GRAPE. Ill 



The management of the cuttings of the first year 

 is simply to keep the ground clean and well culti- 

 vated. 



If a shady location is chosen for the cuttings, they 

 will root the better, many being lost in this climate, 

 by drought. The best time of setting them is in the 

 spring, when the frost has disappeared. 



Second year's culture. If the young plants are to 

 remain the second year in the nursery, (which is by 

 far the best method,) they should be pruned about 

 the beginning of March, by cutting off their shoots 

 to two or three eyes ; when the ground is open, if a 

 quantity of good, rotten manure be thrown between 

 the rows and neatly dug in, the plants will be much 

 benefited. When the young shoots begin to grow, 

 they are to be finger-pruned by breaking off all the 

 shoots to three or four ; one of the strongest of 

 these will require to be trained to a stake, and the 

 others shortened when they are from one foot to 

 eighteen inches long. 



The ground between the vines will require keep- 

 ing clean and the plants to be often looked over during 

 the summer, and divested of their dead and sickly 

 leaves, and any insects or other nuisance that may 

 be hurtful to their health and every means of good 

 culture should be applied to grow them strong and 

 vigorous. 



ART. 4. Preparing the Ground and Planting. 



In all cases where the grape is to be planted, the 

 ground should be well prepared, by putting on to it 

 a quantity of rotten manure, and well ploughing or 

 digging it to a proper depth. 



