MY VINEYARD. 51 



the wood there was a considerable admixturq of black 

 soil, abounding largely in vegetable matter. "Trench 

 deeply, and use manure in abundance," was the notion 

 left in my mind as the result of all my research in books 

 and papers. So all that border, six feet by seventy-two, 

 was hand-trenched to the depth of two and a half feet, in 

 the most approved manner. Good, well-rotted, barn ma- 

 nure, equal to a depth of six inches, on the whole surface 

 of the border, was thoroughly mingled in. A liberal sup- 

 ply of wood ashes was also used. I had procured, through 

 a friend, residing near one of the eastern nurseries, twelve 

 good Clinton vines, two years old. They were received 

 in good condition, and were carefully planted, six feet 

 apart, early in May. They soon put forth leaves and 

 branches, and appeared vigorous and healthy. During 

 the first season, not knowing exactly how much or how 

 little to prune, I compromised the matter by allowing the 

 vines to take their own course. They made a large 

 growth, and were green when the frosts arrived. Those 

 nearest the woods did not appear so healthy as the rest, 

 and had made a much smaller growth. 



Fall pruning must be attended to, so the side branches 

 were cut away, leaving the main stem two feet in height. 

 This first year's treatment of the vine is not recommended 

 as one worthy of being followed. The object here is to 

 give a faithful record of experience ; those methods which 

 were found successful will be described farther on. 



