78 THE HOME ACRE. 



cool, moist place until ready to plant. Never per- 

 mit the roots to become dry ; and if some of them 

 are long and naked, shorten them to two feet, so 

 as to cause them to throw out side fibrous roots, 

 which are the true feeders. Excavate holes ot 

 ample size, so that all the roots may be spread 

 out naturally. If you have reason to think the 

 ground is not very good, two or three quarts of 

 fine bone-dust thoroughly mixed with the soil that 

 is placed on and about the roots will give a fine 

 send-off. Usually a good mulch of any kind of 

 barn-yard manure placed on the surface after 

 planting will answer all purposes. Before filling 

 in the hole over the roots, place beside the vine a 

 stout stake six or seven feet high. This will be 

 all the support required the first year. Cut back 

 the young vine to three buds, and after they get 

 well started, let but one grow. If the planting is 

 done in the fall, mound the earth up over the little 

 vine at the approach of winter, so as to cover it at 

 least six inches below the surface. In spring 

 uncover again as soon as hard frosts are over, 

 say early April in our latitude. Slow-growing vari- 

 eties, like the Delaware, may be set out six feet 

 apart ; strong growers, like the Concord, eight feet. 

 Vines cannot be expected to thrive under the shade 

 of trees, or to fight an unequal battle in ground 

 filled with the roots of other plants. 



