HARDY 0BAPB8. 125 



Meanwliile ^ve may plant our Grape vines on any soil that is 

 suitable for an apple orchard with every expectation of success. 

 In preparing the ground for planting, the first and most essential 

 point is to secure complete and perfect drainage. This having 

 been secured, it should he deeply and thoroughly tilled, as deeply 

 and thoroughly as any land should be to yield a good crop of 

 Indian corn; and when this has been done, it wlU be in a suitable 

 condition for the reception of Grape vines. The deep trenching 

 and very heavy manuring often advised is not only quite unne- 

 cessary, but positively injurious. The vine may seem to grow 

 most vigorously and to bear fine fruit, but the tendency is to an 

 unnatural growth, of a spongy texture, less able to resist the 

 sudden changes and great extremes of temperature incident to 

 our climate, resulting at last in disease and premature decay. 



The distances apart at which Grape vines should be planted 

 have been variously stated by different writers ; but a more 

 extended experience in the cultivation of our varieties in our 

 soils and climate, has brought the most thoughtful cultivators to 

 J;he conclusion that most of our vines should be planted not leas 

 than twelve feet apart each way. This is about the distance that 

 present experience suggests as requisite for the most healthy 

 development and most economical and profitable culture of the 

 Grape. Parties interested in seUing a large nimiber of vines 

 may continue to recommend closer plantiug ; but experience is 

 teaching us, and a sound judgment, based upon a knowledge 

 of our climate and of the habits of our varieties of the vine, 

 indicates that this distance is the one best adapted to our cir- 

 cumstances. 



Of the proper manner of planting, it is hardly needed that 

 an}-thing should be added to what has been said on the subject 

 of planting in general. The soil having been thoroughly pulver- 

 ised by previous tillage, it remains only to make a shallow 

 excavation of sxifficient diameter to admit of the roots being all 

 carefully spread out and extended their entire length, and then 



covered with fine soil to the depth of three or four inches, then 

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