SECRETARY'S REPORT. 239 



Take care to spread out the roots of the vine in every direc- 

 tion, covering them six inches with tlie soil, and leaving the 

 ends of the roots a little deeper than the crown of the plant. 

 Press the earth rather firmly to the roots, keep down all weeds, 

 and stir the earth frequently. A light root crop may be taken 

 from the middle of the rows the first season to lighten the 

 expenses of cultivation. 



To avoid unnecessary repetition in the matter of pruning, 

 <fec., &c., we would refer to the article on grape culture, p. 64 

 of this volume. 



COST OF VINEYARDS. 



There is not the least need of the extravagant expense so 

 often incurred in planting vineyards. We have shown that it 

 is unnecessary to trench and heavily manure the soil — both 

 costly processes — and now proceed to show the cost of estab- 

 lishing an acre of vineyard. If planted at the distances we 

 recommend, there will be, to the acre — 



726 vines, which, at $25 per 100, 

 40 loads compost, at $1 per load. 

 Ploughing, ..... 

 Carting and cross-ploughing, 

 726 poles, at Ic, .... 

 Planting — two men, ten days, . * 



Total cost of planting an acre, . . |267 76 



There will be some difference in the cost in various localities^ 

 but it is believed the above statement is a fair average. 



The cost of planting an acre on the Ohio, is said to be about 

 three hundred dollars after trenching-, which we avoid ; on the 

 other hand, the cost of labor and manure is in their favor. 



The third year after planting, the first crop may be gathered. 

 Five pounds to the vine will be a light crop if the vines have 

 had proper culture, say thirty-five hundred pounds to the acre, 

 which, at ten cents per pound, will amount to three hundred 

 and fifty dollars. The next year twice this crop may be safely 

 taken, the next year three times, and the next year four times 

 the weight of the first crop, or more than seven tons to the 



