Annual Cultivation of the Soil. 209 



For the vines of the South, planted at distances of 

 four and one-half feet, and more, and pruned cup-shape, 

 we have advised the planting in quincunxes, which al- 

 lows the plow to be run in every direction, and will 

 admit, on the same extent of surface, a greater number 

 of vines than the planting in squares. 



In vineyards where a space of from sixteen to thirty- 

 six inches is left between the plants, the use of the 

 plow would become impossible, unless there were a 

 marked diminution of the number of plants per acre, 

 and consequently a sacrifice of part of the vintage. - 

 To obviate this difficulty, we have advised the setting 

 of the rows three feet apart, at least, and the plants 

 themselves close enough together to admit at least 

 eight thousand to the acre. When it is wished to ex- 

 ceed this number, we have advised that a space of only 

 twenty-four inches be left between the two rows, on 

 each side of an alley, three feet in width [Fig. 17]. 

 The plants being set at eighteen inches from each other, 

 along the rows, ten thousand plants may be set to the 

 acre, and yet two-thirds of the surface can be worked 

 by the plow. 



A plow intended for the culture of the vine should 

 be so constructed as to fulfill the following conditions : 



1st. That it cut a strip of ground at least sixteen 

 inches wide. 



2d. That it penetrate, if need be, to a depth of six 

 inches. 



3d. That it require only one horse to work it the 

 whole day. 



4th. That it be able to pass between two rows of 

 18 



