FEB.] THE VINEYARD. 139 



ground of a very hot nature, but, if very cold or stiff, which ought 

 to be as much avoided as possible in the planting of a Vineyard, it 

 may be improved by well rotted horse dung or street dirt ; when 

 these cannot be had, any kind of well incorporated rich compost 

 or other manure may be used. 



If the Vineyard be on the declivity of a hill, and that your vines 

 are not more than one, two, or three years old, scatter a good 

 shovel-full or two of this manure, principally, on the upper side of 

 each plant, observing that none of it reaches within six inches of 

 the stem ; for if placed close thereto, slugs, worms, and the em- 

 bryos of various insects, so frequently found in dung and other 

 manure, would take shelter about the stock, penetrate down along 

 its roots, and might materially injure it at a future period. But 

 when these are exposed without the advantage of this protection, 

 to the severe frosts of the season, the greater number of them will 

 be destroyed thereby. 



The manure so placed, its nutritive parts will be washed down by 

 rains, and the whole, by the necessary culture, will ultimately be 

 brought to the roots of the plants. When the Vineyard happens 

 to be on level ground, scatter the manure as above, equally around 

 the plants. 



If your vines are four years old or more, let it be cast all over the 

 ground^ as by this time the roots will be extended to a considerable 

 distance in every direction, and prepared to receive nourishment at 

 all points. 



Pruning of Vines in the Vineyard. 



In the middle states, the last week of this month will be an excel- 

 lent time to prune vines, unless it should happen to be extremely 

 severe ; in which case, it will be better to defer the pruning for a 

 few days longer, but on no account later than the first week in 

 March ; which latter period, will be a good time to commence that 

 business in the eastern states, allowing there, the same latitude in 

 similar cases : but the more to the southward, the earlier ought 

 this to be done, for if deferred till the sap begins to ascend, sericus 

 evils will ensue to the plants, in consequence of bleeding too cc- 

 piously from the wounds. Let it be observed that the sap begins 

 to rise six weeks or better, before the bud? expand into leaves. 



Such plants as are but one year old from the cuttings, must be cut 

 down to one or two good buds each, according to their strength, 

 always cuttings about an inch above the bud in a sloping manner, 

 and on the opposite side thereto; observing that the lowermost bud 

 next the old wood, is never reckoned among the good ones. 



Such of these young plants as have made more than one shcot 

 last season, must be deprived of all, by cutting them off as close as 

 possible to the old wood, except the strongest and best placed ; 

 which, prune as above directed, and cut off such part of the old 

 wood close to this shoot, as appears above it ; in order that the bark 

 may grow over it, and the stem become whole and sound. 



Your two years old plants, must be similarly treated, with this dif- 

 ference, that you may leave two good buds to each, in order to 

 form as many strong shoots for the next season. 



