44 



but not under ordinary circumstances, or such as we are at present called upon to 

 (jonsider. 



For ordinary garden culture, the depth of eighteen inches, that we have chiefli? 

 spoken of as the least that will enable a border to give good results, may be safely 

 relied upon for at least twelve years, and without much deterioration for twice that 

 period. This supposes the ground from the first to be given entirely to the vines ; grass, 

 weeds, or other plants having no occupancy there. But for the Thomery plan, which 

 combines the excellence of all systems, the most thorough preparation of the border 

 should be made, and the depth should be from two to three feet ; its width from ten 

 to twelve. This width may be divided into belts of four feet each, and be prepared 

 at intervals of one year or more. As it is supposed in all cases to have a southerly 

 aspect, (varying southerly or westerly as may be required,) the most southerly belt 

 should be first prepared, and in the center of this we plant the vines as we shall here- 

 after see, adding each belt as may be needed, which we shall hereafter more fully 

 explain when considering the planting of the vine. (See page 37, Plate 7.) 



In the preparation of this border no new principles obtain, but the particular im- 

 portance of thorough preparation of the border for this plan of training arises from 

 the 2^ermanence of the "institution" which we aim to build, as well as from the excel- 

 lence in quality and quantity of its produce. We begin to gather enjoyment from it 

 in the shape of delicious fruit as soon as from any other plan, but can not expect to 

 realize the full measure of its bounty in less than six years from the time of planting. 

 We wish it to be clearly understood that the Thomery plan is not to be urged for all 

 planting, and irrespective of circumstances, but under proper circumstances, as the 

 best method of employing extraordinary means for the accomplishment of great 

 results. We dwell particularly upon this plan, with a profusion of illustrations, 

 because the person who masters its details with a clear knowledge of the wherefore of 

 the performance of all of the operations, from the planting to full establishment in 

 bearing, has not only become acquainted with the principles of all grape culture, but 

 has a general knowledge of the object of all training, as practiced in every depart- 

 ment of fruit culture. 



When we come to look at training more in detail, we shall see that our general 

 principles are to be carried out under a great variety of modifications, according to 

 circumstances, of room, exposure, climate, etc. 



We have now treated of the preparation of the ground for the garden, or in such 

 confined space as only admits of the employment of man-power. In the field a very 

 great saving of labor may be made by the employment of teams ; and for this purpose 

 very strong ox-teams are the best. These, to do the work perfectly, must be largel}/ 

 assisted by the shovel. 



We will suppose we are to operate upon a field whose soil presents no insuperable 

 obstructions to working a depth of two feet. If it is in sod, this must first be turned 

 over and rotted. Manuring will probably be required, and this should be spread upon 

 the furrows before the next operation. Our next operation will be simple trench- 

 plowing, by which we aim to get a soil of eighteen inches in depth, but will be likely 

 to achieve not more than sixteen inches. It is done by going a second time in every 

 furrow; and if it is plowed in "lands," so that ridges and dead furrows result, it 

 must be turned back by a simple plowing before the next operation, which will be 

 " compound trench-plowing." This is done by plowing through and going back 

 empty, or taking a furrow one way and going back with the plow on the surface, turn- 

 ing th.e furrows all one way. This time the plow is to go at least three times in every 

 furrow, followed by men with long-handled shovels to throw up the ground that is 

 loosened by the plow, for loosening is all that the plow can do at that depth. If by 

 the first operation of trench-plowing a depth of eighteen inches was gained, it will 

 not be too difficult by this operation to make the whole depth twenty-four inches, 

 which, so fur as deepening is concerned, in a soil of medium tenacity, may be con- 

 sidered first-rate preparation. We shall here have six inches 'of.imfertile sub-soiJ 



