36 BRIGHT ON GRAPE CULTURE. 



For trellises, ia small vineyards, we recommend posts 

 of good size, set about ten or twelve feet apart, with 

 wires run lengthwise the rows, say about six to eight 

 inches apart. Number twelve wire is about the right 

 size for economy ; larger wire would no doubt be better, 

 where the first cost is not much regarded. 



When cold weather sets in, it is highly useful, even 

 for hardy vines, to lay them down, as you would rasp- 

 berry vines, and cover them with soil. The labor is 

 not great, in gardens and small vineyards, and the 

 benefit derived from such winter protection well repays 

 the trouble or expense. If the winter is very severe, 

 the canes will escape injury, and even if mild, they will 

 come out much better for this protection. Mulch with 

 next year's compost. 



FRUITING THE VINES. 



In the spring, as soon as the peach trees are in bloom, 

 uncover the fruiting canes, and sling them carelessly for 

 a time, not perpendicularly, but horizontally on the 

 lowest wire, thus bending them down till the shoots 

 have made a growth of two inches. Then tie them up 

 perpendicularly, with pieces of Cuba matting. As soon 

 as the fruit buds begin to break, there being generally 

 two together, remove the weaker one, which is usually 

 the under or lower one, select the bunch nearest the 

 main stem for preservation, and stop two joints from the 

 bunch. Then stop all laterals, leaving one new leaf 



