GROWING FKOM SEED. 17 



diameter and two feet long, should be stuck by the side 

 of each plant ; every little plant will throw out its tendrils 

 and attach itself to the sticks, and grow much more rapidly 

 than it would if such a support were not given. The 

 stakes, if set thickly together, will afford a partial shade 

 to the young plants, which is often very beneficial, espe- 

 cially if the summer should prove very warm. Anothei 

 method with which I have succeeded most admirably, is to 

 sow the grape seeds thinly in the drills with apple seeds ; 

 the apple seedlings coming up with those of the grape, or 

 usually a little before, they afford just sufficient shade for 

 the young vines ; and as the vine grows, they fasten them- 

 selves to the young trees, which serve in place of stakes. 

 A still better plan would be to sow the apple seeds in 

 drills, running east and west, one foot apart, and the seeds 

 about one inch apart in the drill, after which sow the grape 

 seeds on the north side of the drill, but close up to them, 

 say within two inches at least. I use apple or pear seeds 

 instead of cherry, peach, or similar kinds, because they 

 produce but very few side roots the first year, and conse- 

 quently do not interfere with the growth of the seedling 

 vines. When the plants have made a few inches of growth, 

 a light mulch of leaves, hay, or moss may be spread over 

 the entire surface of the bed ; this will keep the roots 

 moist and prevent any sudden check to their growth. If 

 the weather should prove dry, give an occasional water- 

 ing not a sprinkling, but a good soaking ; once a week 

 will be sufficient. No liquid manure will be needed if the 

 soil was properly enriched when the bed was made ; but if 

 the vines do not grow as rapidly as desired, then put a few 

 shovelfuls of good fresh barnyard manure into a barrel 

 of water, stir it well, let it settle, and then draw off the 

 water and apply it to the plants ; or, instead, a solution of 

 two pounds of guano to a barrel of water may be used 

 with good effect. If there should be signs of mildew on 

 the plants, a few handfuls of sulphur, scattered over the 



