28 American Grape Training. 



but the main features are the same for all. 

 Strong posts of some durable timber, as cedar, 

 locust or oak, are placed at such distance apart 

 that two vines can be set between each two. If the 

 vines are set nine feet apart, the posts maybe eight- 

 een or twenty feet apart, and a vine will then stand 

 four or five feet from each post. If the posts in the 

 row are eighteen feet apart and the rows eight feet 

 apart, about 330 posts will be required to the acre. 

 Except in very hard and stony lands, the posts are 

 driven with a heavy maul, although many people 

 prefer to set the end posts in holes, thinking that 

 they endure the strain better. In all loose soils, 

 however, posts can be made as firm by driving as 

 by setting with a spade. All posts should be as firm 

 as possible, in order to hold up the heavy loads of 

 vines and fruit. In setting posts on hillsides, it 

 is a common practice to lean them slightly uphill, 

 for there is always a tendency for the posts to tilt 

 down the slope. For the Kniffin systems, espe- 

 cially for the strong-growing grapes, the posts must 

 stand six or six and one-half feet high when set, 

 but a foot less will usually be sufficient for the up- 

 right and horizontal systems. The posts should 

 stand higher at first than is necessary for the sup- 

 port of the wires, for they will need to be driven 

 down occasionally as they become loose. The end 

 posts of each row should be well braced, as shown 

 in several of the illustrations in this volume. 



The wire ordinarily used is No. 12, except for the 



