Editors' Letter Box. 



ir)5 



the anchorage of wires in suspension 

 bridges, except that the wires are in 

 this case separate, and have their sepa- 

 rate fastening. If the wires are passed 

 from the blocks over the tops of the 

 posts, or through auger holes, to form 

 the trellis, tliey tend to press the posts 

 inwards and slacken the wires, especi- 

 ally in sandy soils. The piece of chain 

 extending a few inches above ground, 

 is less liable than wire to injury by 

 accident. 



If there be any objection to this plan, 

 it is in the unyielding nature of the 

 fastenings. I have drawn them very 

 tightly, however, without having the 

 wires to snap from subsequent cold. 



For gardens and small plats a pret- 

 tier trellis is made with small posts, 

 light and close together, sustained at 

 the top by a single lath, about two and 

 a half by three-fourths inches. If the 

 posts are not. more than six feet apart, 

 wires may be drawn ver}' tightly with- 

 out bringing the posts together. One 

 gets rid of the awkwardness of the 

 bracing wires in obstructing walks, 

 which, in vineyards, is a matter of less 

 importance. 



Query. Are tight wires desirable, 

 after all, in grape trellises ? They look 

 better, but I am inclined to think my 

 vines more liable to be rubbed and 

 bruised in storms, upon tight wires, 

 than when they have a slight swaying 

 motion. The latter is also analogous 

 to the natural support of vines on the 

 swaying branches of trees. What is 

 the experience of others in this matter? 

 Respectfully, 



.Tno. R. Eukix. 



[Thanks for your contiibution. "We 



have for some time kept our trellis in a 

 very firm condition, by l)raeing the end 

 posts with a piece of rail against a peg 

 driven into the ground not far from the 

 second post, and leaning against tlie 

 end post, in a notch made just below 

 the ui>ijer wire. We stretch tlie wire 

 by boring a hole through the end post 

 through which the wire passes, take a 

 piece of wood, say one and a half 

 inches square and nine inclies long, 

 through which a hole is bored, and the 

 end of the wire drawn. By simph- 

 turning this piece of wood the wire can 

 be stretched very tight, and released 

 again in the fall. 



AVe do not think that vines are any 

 more liable to rub and chafe on tight 

 wires than on slack ones, nor will it do 

 them any injury if they rub a little. 



Let us hear from you frequently, as 

 we know you to be one of the earnest 

 workers in the cause, and firmly be- 

 lieve that Arkansas will yet rival Mis- 

 souri in grape growing.] — Ed. 



Edoewoo)), 111., March 4, ISGjl. 



Dear Sir : I have inclosed $1 for the 

 Grape Cultitrist for six months. You 

 can put me down as a life member. It 

 is a thing that I have been looking for 

 this long time. I. have been going it 

 blind ever since I got those grape vines 

 of you. They have done finely beyond 

 all expectations. I have now three 

 thousand from them. Since that time 

 I bought your grape book, and have 

 received some vahial)le instructions 

 from it. But I can keep it in the 

 house but a short time ; all the neijrh- 

 borhood has it. Wc want to start :. 



