92 



four inches deep and remove before the vines start in the spring. 

 Vines should be uncovered and tied up to the stakes before the 

 buds swell as they are very tender and are easily broken off in 



liandling. 



In conclusion let me add that it has been of much pleasure to 

 me to be among my vines, and if I have not made it pay in dol- 

 lars, I have had enough fruit for my family and some for my 

 friends, and besides there is a solid satisfaction in gathering the 

 fruit that has been produced by the labor of one's own hands. 

 If it does require constant care it takes up the spare moments 

 that are usually lost, or spent in some other employment that 

 amounts to no more in the end than growing grapes. 



STATEMENT OF GEORGE W. GAGE, METHUEN. 



My vineyard is located on a southern slope about one-third 

 the way up and one hundred feet from the valley below. The 

 soil is friable with gravelly bottom naturally drained. It con- 

 tains three hundred vines, the oldest of which is fifteen years, 

 the youngest live years. My first planting was fifty vines on 

 a patch from which I had taken two crops of apple trees (one 

 too many) the residue of the vines on nursery ground, from 

 which one crop of trees had been taken. Fertilized at planting 

 with animal manure, afterwards an annual dressing with ashes 

 or potash and bone. 



I sometimes start with cuttings and layers, but the best meth- 

 od is with single eyes. After several years of slip-shod training 

 I believe the following to be the best. Commence with one or 

 two year old vines, cut down to two eyes, allowing them to grow 

 about as they will, except training them to stakes. In Novem- 

 ber cut down to two eyes. Second year train same as first. 

 Third year erect a trellis about like those recommended by Mr. 



