236 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



merchantable varieties. Many of these appear to be better adapted 

 to the warm climate of the Southern States than the kinds that have 

 come from northern stock. (U. S. E. S. B. 178.) 



The location of the vine or the vineyard should be determined 

 with reference to its convenience to the home and to the fitness of 

 the soil. The preference should be given to warm, open soil, free 

 from excess of moisture, and fairly fertile. A south or southeastern 

 exposure will usually give greatest satisfaction. If wild vines of 

 the same species occur in the vicinity they will be found to have 

 planted themselves in the most congenial soil, and therefore afford 

 a sure indication of the place to plant. This is specially true where 

 the wild vines are succeeding well. 



Drainage and Breaking Up the Soil. The grape is a trailing 

 shrub, capable under favorable conditions of making an enormous 



frowth of wood and fruit. To enable it to do its best the soil must 

 e prepared for a corresponding growth and development of its root 

 system. Grape roots are not found deeply embedded in the soil, 

 but they are numerous and slender, and wander to great distances 

 in search of an abundant supply of plant food. If the soil is hard 

 and compact it will be difficult for the roots to find the proper food 

 supply to produce satisfactory crops of fruit. Thus the importance 

 of thoroughly pulverizing the surface and subsoil is apparent. The 

 thorough pulverizing of the soil in connection with tile underdrain- 

 ing is a well-known safeguard against the evil effects of excessive 

 moisture as well as protection against excessive drouth. 



The first work in preparing the site chosen for a vineyard, espe- 

 cially if it be on clay soil, will be its thorough underdrainage by 

 tiling. The size of the tile to be used should be determined by the ex- 

 tent and area to be drained. Three-inch tiles will generally be found 

 sufficiently large. They should be laid so as to afford an easy escape 

 for the water by having an outlet in some near-by ravine or on a 

 slope. They should be laid at least 3 feet below the surface of the 

 ground and in parallel lines about 2 rods (33 feet) apart. This, if 

 well done, will effectually free the soil from any surplus water that 

 may have been held in suspension. 



After thorough drainage the ground is ready for breaking. A 

 strong team of two or three horses and a good breaking plow, with a 

 second team and subsoil plow to follow in the same furrow, will be 

 an effectual and labor-saving method of procedure. A subsoil plow 

 should not throw the cold subsoil up to the surface, but simply loosen 

 and allow it to remain, where it properly belongs, in the bottom 

 of the furrow. If the site is to be prepared by hand by the use of a 

 spade, the same rule should be observed ; turn the lower spit or spade 

 of earth at the bottom and keep the warm surface soil on top. If in 

 preparing the soil as above directed a liberal supply of compost or 

 well-rotted manure is worked into it, it will be improved. 



Fertilizers for the Grape. As fertilizers for the grape unleached 

 hardwood ashes and well-composted barnyard manure will be found 

 among the cheapest and best. These are recommended both on ac- 

 count of cheapness and general accessibility as well as for their 



