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AMERICAN VINES. 



pressed with the foot. The manure or fertilizers may also 

 be placed on the first layer of soil, but always at a certain 

 distance (a few inches) from the stock, so as not to burn it. 



Level of soil 



Fig. 137. Grafted Cuttings placed in nursery rows. 



The trench is then filled in with soil from the next trench ; 

 and the earthing up done with looser soil, as already 

 explained. 



Another arrangement which has given us good results may 

 be adopted. 



The planting is done in double rows, 20 cm. (8 inches) 

 apart, each group being separated by an interval of one 

 metre (3ft. 3in.). The land is previously worked in ridges 

 (Fig. 136). When the time for planting has arrived, the top 

 of the ridge is flattened with a spade, and a slope cut out on 



Fig. 138 Arrangement of the soil. 



both sides : the ridge becomes a prism, the section of which 

 is a trapezoid, the upper side of which measures 20 cm. 

 (8 inches), and the lower about 50 cm. (20 inches). The 

 soil resulting from this operation is rendered very friable, 

 and placed in the interval separating two consecutive ridges 

 (Fig. 137) ; the grafted cuttings are placed on each side 



against the slopes, with the eyes 

 level with the top angle. Manure 

 may be placed at the foot of the 

 cuttings, but not touching them, 

 and the soil resulting from the 

 excavation (Fig. 138) earthed up- 

 against them. This arrange- 

 ment has the advantage of 

 facilitating the working. 



