258 AMERICAN GRAPE GROWING 



CHAPTER LI. 



CULTIVATION, TRAINING, AND GRAFTING. 



During the first summer after planting, the young 

 vines will need no further attention than frequent stir- 

 ring of the soil by plowing, cultivating, and hoeing. 

 Where they are not irrigated,' they will make but slow 

 growth the first summer, as this season is without rain, 

 from the beginning or middle of May until September, 

 and sometimes even longer. Keep* the surface of the soil 

 loose and mellow, it is the only way to retain moisture in 

 the soil and keep the plants alive and growing. The 

 vine will become established and firmly rooted the first 

 summer, and its progress will be rapid the second year. 

 Cut back to two buds of the young growth, from which 

 to start a strong shoot to form the basis of the future 

 vine. Plowing is the operation next in order. The 

 common practice has been to commence in the middle of 

 the row, with a good team and a two-horse plow. Plow 

 a good, deep furrow in the centre of the row, then return 

 in the row, plowing the second furrow towards the first, 

 and a third furrow towards the first from the other side, 

 so as throw the soil towards the middle and from the 

 vines. This is as near as you can come to the vines with 

 two horses, and a man with a single horse walking in 

 the furrow finishes up the row close to the vines, al- 

 ways plowing the ground away from the vines, and to- 

 wards the middle. A good, careful man can come 

 within a few inches of the vine and leave but a small 

 strip for the hoe. Hoeing comes next, and we use 

 either two-pronged hoes, the old German implement, or 

 spading forks, with which the ground is thoroughly 

 loosened and stirred around the vine. Then comes cross- 

 plowing, which is done by plowing across the former fur- 

 rows at right angles, first throwing a shallow furrow with 



