8O THE HOME ACRE. 



This method evidently is not adapted to our 

 climate and species of grape, since in that case 

 plenty of keen, practical fruit-growers would have 

 adopted it. I am glad this is true, for the vine- 

 clad hills of France do not present half so pleasing 

 a spectacle as an American cornfield. The vine is 

 beautiful when grown as a vine, and not as a stub ; 

 and well-trained, well-fed vines on the Home Acre 

 can be developed to almost any length required, 

 shading and hiding with greenery every unsightly 

 object, and hanging their finest clusters far beyond 

 the reach of the predatory small boy. 



We may now consider the vines planted and 

 growing vigorously, as they will in most instances 

 if they have been prepared for and planted accord- 

 ing to the suggestions already given. Now begins 

 the process of guiding and assisting Nature. Left 

 to herself, she will give a superabundance of vine, 

 with sufficient fruit for purposes of propagation 

 and feeding the birds. Our object is to obtain 

 the maximum of fruit from a minimum of vine. 

 The little plant, even though grown from a single 

 bud, will sprawl all over everything near it in 

 three or four years, if unchecked. Pruning may 

 begin even before midsummer of the first year. 

 The single green shoot will by this time begin to 

 produce what are termed " laterals." The careful 

 cultivator who wishes to throw all the strength 



