228 POPULAR FRUIT GROWING. 



grow those that are old and large when transplanted. It mat- 

 ters little about the direction of the rows; they should be laid 

 out so as to prevent erosion as much as possible. 



The proper distance between the plants will depend some- 

 what on the vigor of the kinds planted, the manner of pruning, 

 and the soil; but the strong growing varieties, which are most 

 desirable, should generally be set ten by ten feet apart each way, 

 or in some cases eight feet apart in rows ten feet apart, to al- 

 low for the growth of roots and a good circulation of air be- 

 tween the vines. When the vineyard is much shut in it will 

 be found advantageous to increase this distance, but when lo- 

 cated in an airy position and on retentive soil the plants may 

 be set eight by eight feet. 



Planting. — The most rapid way of planting grape vines is 

 to furrow out the land one way and mark the other, putting the 

 vines at the intersection of the furrows. Before planting, the 

 tops of the vines should be cut off so as to leave only two or 

 three buds, and if the roots are very long it will facilitate plant- 

 ing to cut them back to twelve inches in length; shortening the 

 roots to this extent does not seem to injure the growth of the 

 plant. On light soil and on hillsides it is exceedingly important 

 to get the roots down deep in the land, and the holes should 

 be made large enough to allow the lower roots to come about 

 fifteen inches below the surface. The top loam should be put 

 around the roots, but the plants should not be covered at once 

 more than two inches deeper than they grew in the nursery. 

 The soil should be gradually worked in around the vines as 

 they grow until the holes are full. On heavy soils, especially 

 those quite moist, it is not safe to plant deep, and eight inches 

 will probably be found about the right depth in most locations. 

 In planting vines to be pruned on the one-cane system, it is 

 best to incline them somewhat in the direction in which they 

 are to be trained on the trellises. This should be in the 

 direction of the prevailing summer winds. 



Cultivation. — Soon after planting, the vines should be well 

 cultivated, and some hoed crop that will not shade them may 

 be grown between the rows for the first two years. After this 

 the vines will need all the land. Cultivation should consist of 



