GRAPE VINES. 51 



remedy for this, but the diseased leaves and fruit ought 

 to be cut off. 



60. Another kind of blight happens in the critical time 

 of the vines being in blossom, if a heavy shower then 

 falls, the pollen or farina is drowned, and cannot ferti- 

 lize the fruit buds. This sometimes spoils the whole 

 crop. If we could shelter the vines from our south west 

 vernal storms by buildings, walls, woods, or a thick fo- 

 liage, this would seldom happen. Never work the vines 

 when in blossom. 



61. The yellows are caused by the root becoming weak 

 by bad food or overbearing. The leaves then become 

 sickly and yellow. This is more easily cured by re- 

 moving the leaves, pruning the shoots, cutting some clus- 

 ters, but above all by manuring, removing the earth 

 from around the root, and re-placing it with good com- 

 post. 



62. Some small caterpillars group under the leaves, 

 curl and eat them. They must be destroyed by cutting 

 the leaves attacked, and crushing the insects under foot. 

 Bugs and other insects feeding on the vines are not dan- 

 gerous. No Aphis is found on our vines, and no insects 

 destroy the roots nor the grapes. 



63. Depredations on the grapes when ripe is a great 

 evil, but as this happens only for a short while, it must 

 be guarded against by watching the vineyards night and 

 day as soon as the grapes begin to get ripe. Rural watch- 

 men are paid on purpose in Europe. Dogs will not do, 

 because they are fond of the grape. Foxes and birds are 

 also depredators. Vineyards ought not to be near roads, 

 or easily accessible, on that account. 



64. Let us conclude by giving a pro forma account of 

 the expense of forming and keeping up a vineyard, cal- 

 culating all charges as cash to be paid, although most 

 farmers may own the land, and give their own labor, or 

 procure their own cuttings and props, which will be so 

 much less. 



One acre of land, from - - - gl to 10 



Preparing the same and manure, - - 5 to 10 



1000 to 3000 cuttings, if bought, - - 5 to 30 



Planting them, 5 to 20 



Expenses of first year, - - gl6 to 70 



