146 WINTER MANAGEMENT. 



The roots being thus protected, nothing more is re- 

 quired to be done, till the month of March. 



March 1st. -If the season be forward, the vine 

 must now be permanently trained) but if otherwise, 

 that operation may be performed any time during the 

 next fortnight. Observe, however, that as soon as the 

 buds have swelled sufficiently to burst the extremities 

 of their winter covering, the vine must be trained im- 

 mediately ; for, if delayed, the buds will be liable o 

 be rubbed off in bending the shoots, and nailing them 

 in their proper positions. 



This is the proper time, also, previously to the vine 

 being permanently trained for,the season, ^to whitewash 

 the wall, agreeably to the directions given in page 66. 



In nailing the shoots in the manner directed in the 

 chapter on Training, use fresh shreds, and be careful 

 not to put any round those parts of the vine that have 

 been at any previous time covered with shreds. The 

 training being finished, remove the covering from the 

 border, leaving as much of it to remain as may be ad- 

 vantageously mixed with the soil. Fork up the border, 

 and mix the manure Well with it : after which, rake 

 the surface very smooth and clean. 



March 21 st.+ As soon after this tirrie as the weather 

 is dry, salt the border. For this purpose procure a 

 gallon of salt for every square rod, and scatter it in the 

 same manner as if it were seed, distributing it as 

 equally as possible over the entire border. Then rake 

 the surface very lightly, in order that the salt may be 

 mixed with the soil. The application of salt to a vine 

 border, is productive of the most beneficial effects. It 

 prevents the growth of weeds, destroys the worms, 

 keeps the surface open and clean, stimulates the growth 

 of the vine, and ultimately enters largely into its con- 

 stitution. Any substance, indeed, of a saline nature, 

 the roots of vines seize upon with the greatest avidity* 



