66 



represented Plate No. 81. After the ground has remained in this position a few days, 

 the next operation — adverse plowing — is performed, by which the furrows ai'e turned 

 back toward the vines. To finish the ground for winter a cultivator is used, with the 

 two hinder teeth made so as to avoid tearing the vines. The handles are also made 

 with guards to protect the hands from injury by coming in contact with the wire trel- 

 lis on each side. 



Plate No. 79 represents an implement of French invention, that may be used 

 instead of a plow with great advantage, doing the work more expeditiously and ftiuch 

 better in regard to tillage. It is fitted with two sets of shares, one for the averse, and 

 the other for the advej'se turning of the furrows. The standard and wheel, C, are indis- 

 pensable for gauging the depth. At D is shown an arrangement by which the near- 

 ness of approach to the vines in working may be accurately and safely adjusted. It is 

 called the P/oiv of M. Loyere, from the name of the inventor. 



If a dressing of manure is to be applied, it may be done before any of the opera- 

 tions above named in the fall, but it will best before the last, when it will take most 

 advantageously the action of the water falling upon the surface, whether from snow 

 or rain. 



As the growing season advances, the depth of working is lessened, so that the last 

 is but a skimming of the surface. Except for the working in the fall, the draft is very 

 light, and a small animal is greatly to be preferred. A skillful operator, with a gentle 

 and tractable horse well trained, will never damage the vines. 



Plate No. 80 shows an implement better calculated for working in the vineyard 

 after the first time in the spring. It is so clearly represented that little explanation is 

 required. From the shape and setting of the shares, it will be seen that, if well-man- 

 aged, there will be no danger to the roots or stocks. It is called the Horse-hoe of M. 

 Loyere. 



With either implement, three acres in a day may be carefully done with ease, but 

 necessarily leaving a narrow strip along each row to finish by hand-labor. In this way 

 the tillage of a vineyard will cost but little more than that of a field of Indian corn ; 

 and not half so much as a field of corn, including the planting, if the work of the latter 

 is done by hand-hoeing. 



When hand-labor only is employed in vineyards, different implements are used, 

 according to the character of the soil. In light, mellow soil a square hoe, with a blade 

 much longer than that of the ordinary farm hoe, is used. In more stony or tenacious 

 formation, a piece is taken out of the middle, as shown in Plate No. 81, leaving it two- 

 toothed or "bidens." If the soil is very tenacious or stony, a triangular, pointed im- 

 plement is used. (See Plate No. 82.) 



Among our farm implements in ordinary use may be found some as well adapted 

 for the cultivation of vines as those specially made for the purpose — the hoe and the 

 many-pronged potato-digger. The latter, made of fine cast steel, with six teeth, each 

 tooth as smooth as the tine of a hay-fork, is preferred by Mr. Mottier to any other 

 im.plement for his heavy clay soil. The first season after planting, all of the work 

 must be done by hand, and very carefully, and frequent and thorough working is of 

 the greatest importance at this period. Neglect often causes the loss of more than one 

 season's crop. The ground should not merely be kept clear of weeds, but should be 

 frequently stirred if no weeds appear, and especially if the soil is somewhat compact, 

 and during drouth. Tiie representations of foreign implements (Plates Nos. 78 and 

 80) are introduced to illustrate the principles of peculiar construction for vine-culture. 

 American implements are already in use that need but little change to adapt them to 

 this purpose. To guard against the damage by severe drouth, mulching may some- 

 times be applied ; but it should be spread very thin, and no green material should 

 ever be used. Coarse hay, or straw carefully deprived of its grain, is the best mate- 

 rial. Green grass, just mowed from a lawn, and weeds, are very injurious, and often 

 destructive. 



