170 OPEN AIK GRAPE CULTURE. 



in front of the posts to which it is to be fastened we 

 grasp it between the leather jaws of the pincers and 

 step slowly back, straining it as much as possible un- 

 til we are past the second post, when an assistant 

 fastens it firmly with a small staple and we are again 

 ready to step back to the next. By means of this 

 contrivance, the wire can be laid on as tightly and 

 smoothly as possible, for all the kinks are taken out 

 by passing it through the leather jaws of the pin- 

 cers, which should be well greased. It is necessary 

 to go into the field provided with several sets of 

 leathers, as they soon wear out, but are easily re- 

 newed. They should be at least three inches broad, 

 so as to straighten out the wire thoroughly. 



That wire is better than wooden slats there can be 

 no doubt. It is less in the way, the vines cling to it 

 more readily and the appearance is vastly superior. 

 A pound of No. 12 wire will stretch across three 

 posts (24 ft.) so that a trellis 8 feet high with two 

 wooden slats and five wires, each 14 inches apart, will 

 require Iflbs., which, at eight cents per lb., will cost 

 about 13 or 14 cents. As the cost of the wire is con- 

 siderable, some cultivators do with less. Dr. Under- 

 bill's trellises are seven feet high with only three wires, 

 and we believe no slats. But we prefer the arrange- 

 ment just described, as we can thus tie in each shoot 

 conveniently and regularly, and the wires at 14 inches 



