VINEYARDS. 125 



space between the rows of vines, paying the cost of cultivating 

 the whole piece, most of the work being done with the horse- 

 hoe. The middle of November, the vines were pruned back to 

 two or three strong buds. 



In the spring of 1868, we found twenty of the Concords and 

 one-half the Dianas dead, or making but a feeble growth, and 

 they were replaced by Concords of our own raising. With us 

 the Diana has proved a failure, being subject to mildew and 

 winter-killing, while the fruit does not ripen evenly enough to 

 be fit to sell. Before the vines started, the posts were set twelve 

 feet apart with a stake between to which the growing vines were 

 kept tied during the season. In November the vines were 

 pruned to form the arms, and the rails nailed on for the trellis. 

 In 1869, the stoutest vin^s were allowed to bear a few bunches 

 each, in all about two hundred pounds. The great gale in Sep- 

 tember, injured the fruit and vines, lessening the crop for that 

 year. 



This year nearly all the vines threw out fruit-buds, and after 

 the grapes had set, about one-third of them were taken off, 

 mostly from the weaker vines. We have found that Concord 

 vines, when allowed to bear all they will the first year or two, 

 exhaust themselves and make the crop uncertain for a year or 

 two after. Our aim has been to obtain increasing crops each 

 year, by summer pruning, so as to get good canes for the next 

 year's fruit. Notwithstanding the severe drought, the vines this 

 season have made a splendid growth of strong, healthy, well- 

 ripened canes, giving promise of a fine crop next year. 



Expenses: 1867, 100 rods of land, at 180 per acre, 150; 

 ploughing and harrowing, |6 ; 420 vines at 30 cents, $126 ; set- 

 ting vines, four days, $8 ; pruning, $1. In 1868, 252 posts, at 

 six cents, $15.12 ; setting posts, four days, $8 ; 230 rails, at six 

 cents, $13.80 ; 1,000 laths, $3.50 ; nails, $2 ; wire, $4 ; making 

 trellis, six days, $12 ; cultivation, $6 ; pruning, $2. In 1S69, 

 cultivation and training vines, $10 ; pruning, $4. In 1870, 

 cultivation and training, $16 ; interest and taxes, $54.50. 

 Total, $341.92. 



Receipts, 1869, grapes sold, 200 pounds at twenty cents, 140. 

 In 1870, grapes sold, 1,200 pounds at twelve and a half cents, 

 average $150. Total, $190. Excess of expenses, $151.92. 



Deducting the expenses the present year, $16, from the 



