GRAPE. 227 



Location of the vineyard. Some of the hardy, early ripen- 

 ing but inferior grapes will mature in almost any situation, but 

 the better kinds need a warm exposure and free circulation of 

 the air about them to insure their ripening each year. High 

 southern slopes generally offer the best locations; in such 

 places there is the greatest amount of heat in summer, very 

 general immunity from the late frosts of spring or the early 

 frosts of autumn, and a movement of the air at all times; all 

 of which are important matters in growing grapes. Other slopes, 

 and even level land, may be successfully used for this purpose, 

 but on northern exposures, the fruit will be later in ripening 

 than if in situations where the plants receive the direct rays 

 of the sun. However, excellent fruit may often be grown on a 

 northern slope if it is near some large body of water, which 

 will help maintain an equal temperature, and especially to keep 

 off the early frosts of autumn. In a vineyard closely shut in 

 so that the foliage of the vines does not dry off quickly after 

 summer showers, it will be found very difficult to grow many 

 of our better kinds of grapes on account of the prevalence of 

 fungus diseases in such places. The cutting away of a belt 

 of trees surrounding a vineyard, so as to allow a free move- 

 ment of air through the vines at all times, has often been the 

 means of making the difference between failure and success in 

 growing grapes. 



Soil. The best soil for a vineyard is a rich gravelly or 

 sandy loam, with an open clay sub-soil; but a somewhat clayey 

 loam will do very well if sufficiently drained to remove excess 

 of moisture. Before planting, the land should be thoroughly 

 prepared by plowing and harrowing until in the best condition. 

 Where there is not good surface drainage, as on some prairie 

 farms, it will be found a good plan to plant the vines on ridges 

 made by turning six furrows back to back. In other locations 

 the land should be kept smooth. A limestone soil or loess loam 

 is almost ideal for the grape. 



The best vines for planting are strong one-year or thrifty 

 two-year-old plants from layers or cuttings, and only those hav- 

 ing a good root system should be used. Plants more than three 

 years old are not desirable, as young, thrifty plants soon out- 



