163 OPEX AIR GRAPE CULTURE. 



in some parts of tlie coimtiy. In tlie celebrated 

 Thomeiy vineyards, tlie walls are built of claj witli 

 a cap of tliatcli. It is probable t'^iat walls built of 

 well made sun-burnt bricks would last a long time 

 and answer a good purpose if properly protected by a 

 cap or eave of board or straw. 



But, for all practical purposes, our reliance for vine- 

 yard training, in tlie present state of our experience, 

 must be upon properly arranged trellises. AVe will, 

 tlierefore, give wliat we consider the best mode of con- 

 structing them. 



If the vines have been planted two years previously 

 at distances of eight feet in the rows and the rows six 

 fe«t apart, the first step to the erection of the trellises 

 is to set up a post between each vine and slightly in 

 advance of the rows, so as to facilitate bending the 

 vines for winter protection."^ These posts may be of 

 such size and material as the vine dresser may jDro- 

 cure. Cedar, chestnut, locust or oak make the best, 

 and a good size is four inches deep (across the rows) 

 and three inches thick. They should stand from seven 

 to nine feet out of the ground and be sunk not less 

 than two and a half feet — if three feet, all the better. 

 The two posts at the ends of the rows must be placed 

 so tiiat they cannot be dravrn inward. Yarious de- 

 vices for effecting this are shown in Figs. 39 and 40. 



* See page lOY. 



