THE VINEYARD. 109 



pruned in root or branch. They do not look as well as trees 

 thoroughly trimmed and pruned, but therein lies the success of 

 pear growing in this region. In allowing them to branch 

 from the ground the trees become hardy and healthy, and the 

 blight never attacks them. Among the varieties of profitable 

 pears for this section are placed the Bartlett, Howells, Clapp's 

 Favorite, Sickle and Bloodgood. The crop is one of the surest 

 and most profitable of the tree fruits. 



THE VINEYARD, 



next to the pear orchard, I place as the most profitable. The 

 vineyard contains 3,500 vines, nearly all of the Ives seedling, 

 of which about one-half are in bearing. The plants are placed 

 8x8 and trained to a single stake, those that are now in bear- 

 ing. I have found by experience that the main vine should 

 grow free, and not wound around a stake, as at every turn 

 around the stake I find the harbor of the insects and bugs that 

 prey upon the sap of the vine. More are found in these crevices 

 than under the bark of the vine. The fruit of the vines that 

 are attached to the stakes is grown at the spurs, which are 

 allowed to swing loose. My reason for growing grapes in this 

 way is that in the ordinary way the foliage becomes so dense and 

 heavy as not to allow a current of air to pass through the vine, 

 which in my opinion is the cause of the grape rot. The vines 

 are pruned as early as the weather will permit. When the frost 

 is out of the ground the cultivation begins, and is kept up 

 until the fruit begins to ripen. The cultivation is most thor- 

 ough but shallow. In most vineyards the vines are set seven 

 by nine feet, but as no ground is gained and the shape is irregu- 

 lar besides, I have set all my vines eight by eight. My 

 manner of planting is to take a double plow with team and 

 throw two furrows, one each way, then plant in the bottom, 

 placing the main roots in the direction you wish to cultivate 

 the deepest, and if in the Spring partially covering the plant ; 

 but if in the Fall, after placing the roots in proper shape, I 

 take a large double plpw and team, and throw two furrows 

 entirely over the young vines, covering them for the Winter. 



