82 THE HOME ACRE. 



stimulate the vine into greater vigor. Our aim is 

 not to obtain half a dozen inferior clusters as soon 

 as possible, but to produce a vine that will eventu- 

 ally almost supply a family by itself. If several 

 varieties have been planted, some will be found 

 going ahead rampantly; others will exhibit a 

 feebler growth, which can be hastened and greatly 

 increased by enriching the surface of the soil 

 around them, and by a pail of soap-suds now and 

 then in May or June, but not later, unless there 

 should be a severe drought. There should be no 

 effort to produce much growth during the latter 

 part of the summer and early autumn, for then 

 both the wood and roots will be immature and 

 unripened when frost begins, and thus the vine 

 receive injury. For this reason it is usually best 

 to apply fertilizers to vines in the fall ; for if given 

 in the spring, a late, unhealthful growth is often 

 produced. Throughout all subsequent years ma- 

 nure must be applied judiciously. You may tell 

 the hired man to top-dress the ground about the 

 vines, and he will probably treat all alike ; a vine 

 that is already growing so strongly that it can 

 scarcely be kept within bounds will receive as 

 much as one that is slow and feeble in its develop- 

 ment. This is worse than waste. Each vine 

 should be treated in accordance with its condition 

 and habit of growth. What would be thought of 



