328 THE VINEYARD. [APRIL. 



The grafting of various kinds of fruit-trees, may be performed in 

 the early part of this month, as directed in the Nursery > for March, 

 page 241, Sec. 



THE VINEYARD. 



VINE cuttings preserved since the time of pruning, as direct- 

 ed in page 239, may yet be planted in the method pointed out, in 

 page 240 ; and all the other work directed to be done in the Vine- 

 yard, in March, should now be finished as early as possible. Rooted 

 plants may also be planted out into rows, at proper distances, but 

 the earlier in the month, the beter. 



If neglected last month, you must early in this, before the buds 

 begin to shoot, either plough, dig, or deeply hoe, the ground between 

 the vines. This is indispensible : the surface must always be kept 

 loose, clean, and free from weeds, or the consequence will be, the 

 having of few fruit, and these of a bad and insipid quality. Keep- 

 ing the earth loose and pulverized by frequent working, will cause 

 it to attract the dews, imbibe the rains freely, when such occur, 

 and consequently, to be constantly stored with a sufficient supply 

 of nourishment, for the plants and fruit ; and moreover, the reflec- 

 tion of the sun, from the clean surface, will dry and dissipate the 

 clamps, that would otherwise cause the fruit to become mildewed, 

 and render their quality crude and insipid. 



In looking over the vines about the end of the month, observe 

 to displace such young shoots or prominent buds, as appear use- 

 less, or promise to be injurious to those intended for bearing fruit. 

 Many small weakly shoots, generally, arise from the old stocks or 

 branches, that seldom produce fruit, and are supernumerary ; such 

 should be. rubbed off close, except in places where a supply of new 

 wood or shoots for next year's bearing are wanted ; in which case, 

 a suitable number should be carefully preserved. This operation 

 ought, at this time, to be performed with the finger and thumb, 

 nipping or rubbing them off, close to where produced. 



Where two shoots arise from one bud, take the worst away, the 

 remaining one will grow stronger, and its fruit be numerous and 

 large in proportion. 



The vines should now have stakes placed to them, such as arc 

 directed to be made in page 41, and any old or decayed poles, re- 

 placed with new, if not done in the former months ; in order to tie 

 and train, the young advancing shoots thereto. 



Any vei-y long shoots of the last year, left upon strong and estab- 

 lished stocks, for fruiting more abundantly, as directed in page 140 ; 

 may about the first of this month, when the sap has arisen, and the 

 shoots become pliant, be bent round the stake, in the form of a 

 hoop, and made fast thereto with a willow twig. &c. by this method it 



