76 THE HOME ACRE. 



northwestern slope, or on the north side of a belt of 

 woods, for the reason that the long, hot days there 

 would cause too rapid an evaporation from the 

 foliage of the vines, and enfeeble, if not kill them. 

 In the limited space of the Home Acre one can 

 use only such land as he has, and plant where he 

 must ; but if the favorable exposures indicated ex- 

 ist, it would be well to make the most of them. 

 I can mention, however, as encouragement to 

 many, that I saw, last fall, splendid grapes growing 

 on perfectly level and sandy soil in New Jersey. 



A low-lying, heavy, tenacious clay is undoubt- 

 edly the worst ground in which to plant a vine ; 

 and yet by thorough drainage, a liberal admixture 

 of sand, and light fertilizers, it can be made to 

 produce good grapes of some varieties. A light 

 sandy soil, if enriched abundantly with well- 

 decayed vegetable and barn-yard manures, gives 

 wider scope in choice of kinds; while on the 

 ideal well-drained sandy loam that we have de- 

 scribed, any out-door grape can be planted hope- 

 fully if the garden is sufficiently removed from 

 the sea-board. 



As a general truth it may be stated that any 

 land in a condition to produce a fine crop of 

 corn and potatoes is ready for the vine. This 

 would be true of the entire garden if the sug- 

 gestions heretofore made have been carried out. 



