THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



by every third or fourth vine, and with three wires 

 fastened to the posts with staples. When such a 

 trelHs is done, it is practically a high fence. The 

 bottom wire is generally placed from two to three 

 feet from the ground, the top wire at six feet. I 

 grow my vines a good deal higher than market- 

 men, because I wish to lift them above berries. 



The fact is, you will not find the grape a good sur- 

 plus crop for market when grown on a small home 

 lot, and with usual care. The great shippers can 

 afford to sell for prices that would not compensate 

 you for your care and expense. Twenty years ago 

 I sold my surplus of Delawares and Rogers' Hy- 

 brids for eight to ten cents a pound. Now when 

 I go into market they will not bring me over three 

 or four cents a pound. I find it convenient, and 

 quite as profitable, to invite a dozen or twenty 

 stalwart college boys to spend two or three hours 

 of Sunday afternoon with me, during October 

 and November — discussing books, grapes, and 

 manhood. I am sure that no grapes ever found 

 more appreciative customers. All in all, I advise 

 you to grow just as many grapes as you can con- 

 sume, having a small surplus for fancy market 

 and enough to give away. 



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