GRAPE CULTURE AND WIXE MAKING. 587 



are cut back according to the alternate system we have so fully 

 described, and the main cane is only allowed to lengthen from 

 twelve to eighteen inches. The top should be kept pinched oft' 

 all summer. The fourth season two more side branches may be 

 started about one foot above the others, and treated in the same 

 way. Fig. 132 shows this vine at the end of the fourth season, 

 as it is to remain, and the cross marks (2, 2) show where it is to 

 be pruned. Another method of pruning and training is shown 

 at Fig. 134. By some of these methods every one can have at 

 least one vine, and most can have more. An occasional wash 

 of strong soapsuds will be beneficial, if the soil is kept stirred 

 and mellow. 



Fourteen Cautions, Before treating of varieties, diseases, etc., 

 we wish to caution our readers: 1, Against using green manure, 

 either in the preparation of the soil or after culture. 2. Against 

 working the soil when wet, either in preparation or after culture 

 3, Against planting vines too shallow in light or gravelly soils, 

 or too deep in heavy ones. (Let the base of the roots be four 

 inches beneath the heavy, clayey soil, and twice that depth in 

 porous, gravelly soils. Allowance must be made for the settling 

 of the earth, the natural spring of the earth, and the natural 

 spring of the plant. If in a border, it should be higher than 

 the surrounding level, to which it will sink.) 4. Against 

 allowing secondary roots to grow from the stem above the 

 original roots. (The earth should be drawn away from about 

 the stem during the second season, and if any of these roots are 

 discovered they must be cut off.) 5. Against cutting any of the 

 main roots in any of the operations of culture. 6. Against 

 covering vines in the winter wholly with straw or barnyard 

 litter. (The vines should first be covered with earth, as the 

 straw furnishes a shelter for mice.) 7. Against too late spring 

 pruning after the sap has started. 8. Against putting down 



