THE GARDEN.^ ^ 



and growth into the main shoot will pinch these 

 laterals back as soon as they form one leaf. Each 

 lateral will start again from the axil of the leaf 

 that has been left, and having formed another leaf, 

 should again be cut off. By repeating this pro- 

 cess during the growing season you have a strong 

 single cane by fall, reaching probably beyond the 

 top of the supporting stake. In our latitude I 

 advise that this single cane that is, the vine be 

 cut back to within fifteen inches of the surface 

 when the leaves have fallen and the wood has well- 

 ripened, say about the middle of November, 

 and that the part left be bent over and covered with 

 earth. When I say " bent over," I do not mean at 

 right angles, so as to admit of the possibility of 

 its being broken, but gently and judiciously. I 

 cover with earth all my vines, except the Concords 

 and Isabellas, just before hard freezing weather ; 

 and even these two hardy kinds I weight down 

 close to the ground. I have never failed to secure 

 a crop from vines so treated. Two men will pro- 

 tect over a hundred vines in a day. 



In early April the young vine is uncovered again ; 

 and now the two uppermost buds are allowed to 

 grow and form two strong canes, instead of one, 

 and on this new growth four or five clusters of 

 grapes may be permitted to mature if the vine is 

 vigorous. If it is feeble, take off all the fruit, and 



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