AND WINE MAKING. 119 



terial is the same as for the vertical trellis, with the ad- 

 dition of the crosspieces, which cost one cent each. 

 Our reasons for preferring the horizontal trellis are, that 

 it makes pruning much more simple and easy, that it 

 keeps the lower part of the vine free from sprouts and 

 branches which would interfere with cultivation, that it 

 affords much greater protection to the growing and 

 ripening fruit, that it holds the fruit where it can be 

 easily reached in spraying, and that it gives partial im- 

 munity from the attacks of fungous diseases. It is a 

 well-known fact that very few fungi can germinate ex- 

 cepting in the presence of moisture. With the horizon- 

 tal trellis, nearly all of the fruit is found hanging below 

 the wires, where it is protected from rain and dew by 

 the leaves, which are almost wholly above the wires, and 

 so the spread of disease is, to a large extent, held in 

 check. The overshadowing leaves also protect the fruit 

 from sun scald, from which many of the thin-skinned 

 varieties suffer severely. Whatever style of trellis may 

 be used, it should always run north and south, so that 

 the fruit may be protected from the sun during the hot- 

 test hours of the day. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



GRAPE CULTURE IN NEW MEXICO. 



N. SPATCIER, LAS CBUCES, N. M. 



An active experience in the vineyard for the past 

 seven years has thoroughly convinced me of the para- 

 mount value of the Mission grape. It is hardy, requires 

 less labor and attention, and is productive. Brought 

 here by Jesuit missionaries 400 years ago (whence its 



