1C THE GRAPE CULTUKIST. 



shaded, to prevent their being burnt off by the sun. 

 The shading may be dispensed with so soon as the second 

 or third leaves are formed, at which time small sticks, 

 say from a quarter to one-half inch in diameter, and two 

 feet long, should be stuck by the side of each plant ; 

 every little plant will throw out its tendrils and attach 

 itself to the sticks, and grow much more rapidly than it 

 would if such a support were not given. The stakes, if 

 set thickly together, will afford a partial shade to the 

 young plants, which is often very beneficial, especially if 

 the summer should prove very warm. Another method 

 with which I have succeeded most admirably, is to sow 

 the grape seeds thinly in the drills with apple seeds; 

 the apple seedlings coming up with those of the grape, 

 or usually a little before, afford just sufficient shade 

 for the young vines ; and as the vine grows, they fasten 

 themselves to the young trees, which serve in place of 

 stakes. A still better plan would be to sow the apple 

 seeds in drills, running east and west, one foot apart, 

 and the seeds about one inch apart in the drill, after 

 which sow the grape seeds on the north side of the drill, 

 but close up to them, say within two inches, at least. 

 I use apple < or pear seeds, instead of cherry, peach, or 

 similar kinds, because they produce but very few side 

 roots the first year, and, consequently, do not interfere 

 with the growth of the seedling vines. When the plants 

 have made a few inches of growth, a light mulch of 

 leaves, hay, or moss may be spread over the entire sur- 

 face of the bed ; this will keep the roots moist and pre- 

 vent any sudden check to their growth. If the weather 

 should prove dry, give an occasional watering not a 

 sprinkling, but a good soaking ; once a week will be suf- 

 ficient. No liquid manure will be needed if the soil was 

 properly enriched when the bed was made ; but if the 

 vines do not grow as rapidly as desired, then put a few 

 shovelfuls of good fresh barnyard manure into a barrel 



