28 AMERICAN GRAPE GROWING 



plant too deep. Rest assured if the roots find anything 

 congenial below, they will hunt it up. Should the soil 

 be very poor, it may be enriched by ashes, bone dust,' 

 manure, etc., but it will seldom be necessary, as most of 

 our soil is naturally rich enough, and it is not advisable 

 to stimulate the growth too mnch, as it will become rank 

 and unhealthy, and impair the quality of the fruit. 



Wet spots may be drained by gutters filled with loose 

 stones or tiles, and then covered with earth. Surface 

 draining can be done by running a small ditch or furrow, 

 every sixth or eighth row, parallel with the hillside, and 

 leading into a main ditch at the middle or end of the 

 vineyard. Steep hillsides should be terraced or benched, 

 but as this is laborious and expensive, they should be 

 avoided. 



