170 GRAPE CULTURE AND 



ing. Some of the vineyard gang plows, described before, are 

 available, they can be used for the work in the centre of the 

 rows, setting the share on each side so that they will 

 throw the ground together in the centre, and away from the 

 vines. If only a common two horse plow can be used, com- 

 mence by plowing a furrow exactly in the centre of the row, 

 then in returning, throw the next furrow against it, and from 

 the row. Go down on the other side, throwing the furrow on 

 the first, and away from the row. Then finish up with a one 

 horse plow, in the same manner, as close as you can come 

 without injuring the vine, letting the horse walk in the furrow 

 plowed before. This will leave but a narrow strip of, say six 

 inches, which can easily be finished with hoe or spade. The 

 two pronged German hoes or karsts are a good implement for 

 that purpose. Even where the gang plow has' been used, it 

 will always be well to finish with the one horse plow, as it 

 admits of closer and more careful work. The plowing in the 

 centre can vary from 4 to 6 inches in depth, according to the 

 nature of the soil. Close to the vines, 3 or 4 inches will be 

 sufficient ; and the hoeing or spading should not be deeper 

 than to break the hard crust around the vine, caused by the 

 winter rains, not deep enough to injure the roots. 



Follow the plow with a vineyard harrow, of which a six foot 

 Acme pulverizer is one of the best, or a revolving harrow, 

 which will smooth and pulverize, and destroy the weeds at 

 the same time. These operations should be performed as 

 soon as it is dry enough in early spring, so that the ground 

 will work well. We often have a spell of good weather in 

 winter, which may be taken advantage of. Always try to be 

 ahead with your work, drive it, when you can, so that it will 

 have no chance to drive you. Plowing in winter, however, 

 should always be done parallel with the hillside, if on sloping 

 ground, as, if plowed up and down hill, the spring rains are apt 



