194 AMERICAN GRAPE GROWING 



compactly after filling with well-pulverized earth. When 

 covered and firmed to the depth of three inches, the re- 

 mainder of the earth may be pulled in loosely, but should 

 also be well firmed. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



VINEYARD PLANTING. 



This is generally done in the spring, as soon as the. 

 ground is dry and warm enough, the time varying in 

 different parts of the State. We prefer to plant in 

 blocks of two and a half acres, with avenues intervening, 

 to facilitate hauling the grapes. In the old plantations 

 the vines were planted in squares^ 7x7 or 8x8 feet, which 

 admitted of cultivation both ways, but plan ting at a greater 

 distance one way and a lesser space the other is of late 

 more generally preferred. It is urged for the latter 

 method, and no doubt justly, that it admits of more 

 thorough cultivation. At the old distance only two or 

 three furrows could be plowed between rows, while by 

 the latter, five can be made with double teams. The 

 latter method also facilitates picking and hauling, as 

 teams can pass between the row, and it gives more air 

 and light to the vines, thereby making them more 

 healthy and luxuriant. In most plantations vines are 

 now set 6x10 feet, which gives the same number of vines 

 to the acre as when set 8x8, with the wider rows running 

 parallel with the hillside, if hillside there be, making it 

 more convenient to haul on fertilizers and to remove 

 grapes and brush from the vines. 



The ground should be deeply plowed and pulverized, 

 as described in Part I. After the ground has been thor- 



