150 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



then new roots shoot forth during warm days, and the vine 

 makes a stronger growth in the ensuing year. Strong growing 

 varieties, like Concord, Hartford Prolific and Diana, ought to 

 be planted six feet apart in the rows, and the rows eight feet 

 apart. The short-jointed varieties, like Delaware, six feet by 

 six. Let the rows run north and south. The best plants, in my 

 opinion, are well-rooted vines, one year old, raised from single 

 eyes, and well supplied with fibrous roots. They are not so 

 liable to be injured in taking them up ; they will make nearly 

 or quite as good a growth the first season, and will come into 

 bearing as soon as olc^r vines. In quantities, they cost much 

 less. Mr. Bull prefers vines two years old, grown from cuttings 

 in the open air. Either will make good vines. Dig a hole 

 wide enough to allow the roots to spread out to their full length, 

 and six or eight inches deep ; then make a conical heap of soil 

 in the centre of the hole, sloping from four inches from the level 

 surface of the ground to the full depth of the hole ; let the stem 

 rest on the centre of this little mound, and spread out the roots 

 in all directions, seeing that, none of them touch each other. 

 Then fill in with mellow earth, shaking the vine gently to settle 

 the earth among the roots. Then fill up the hole and press the 

 earth down gently with the foot. It is a good plan to water the 

 vines well, after planting, if the soil is dry. Keep the vineyard 

 free from grass and weeds, and the soil open and loose. Nothing- 

 should be allowed to grow in a vineyard except vines. 



Peuning and Teaining. — There are several modes of pruning ; 

 but the principle at the foundation of them all is, to cut off the 

 excess of the last year's wood, so that they will not overbear, and 

 yet leave enough to secure the healthy expansion of the vine. 

 Grapes are always produced on the young shoots of the current 

 year. When set to poles, by the spur system, take stout bean- 

 poles, (spruce or cedar are best,) char the lower ends, or paint 

 them with coal-tar, and set them at least eighteen inches deep, 

 one to each vine, leaving six feet out of the ground. Young- 

 vines usually have three buds or eyes ; when they have gfown 

 ten or twelve inches, tie up the strongest shoot to the pole, with 

 l)ass-bark or straw, and pinch out the others at two leaves. 

 Train the young shoot up perfectly straight, tying it to the pole 

 every week. Laterals will grow from the axils of the leaves ; 

 and when they have made three leaves, pinch them off at two- 



