74 MANUAL OF AMERICAN GRAPE-GROWING 



that preceded him. Grape-growing is not, however, an art 

 wholly governed by rules of the past to be carried on by com- 

 mon laborers who use hands only, but is one in which its fol- 

 lowers may make use of science and may put thought, skill 

 and taste into their work. 



LAYING OUT THE VINEYARD 



Vineyards are laid out for the most part after accepted pat- 

 terns for each of the great grape regions of America. The vines 

 are always planted in rectangles, usually at a less distance 

 apart in the rows than the rows are from each other, but some- 

 times in squares. Pride in appearance and convenience in 

 vineyard operations make perfect alignment imperative. Many 

 varieties of grapes, especially of American species, are partially 

 self-sterile, so that some varieties must have others interplanted 

 with them for cross-pollination. This is usually done by set- 

 ting alternate rows of the variety to be pollinated and the cross- 

 pollinator. All self-fertile varieties are set in solid blocks be- 

 cause of convenience in harvesting. 



Direction of rows. 



Some grape-growers attach considerable importance to the 

 direction in which rows run, holding either that the full blaze 

 of the sun at mid-day is desirable for vine, soil and fruit, or 

 that it is detrimental. Those who desire to provide fullest 

 exposure to the sun plant rows east and west when the distance 

 between vines is less than the distance between rows; north 

 and south when vines are farther apart in the row than the rows 

 are from each other. When shade seems more desirable, these 

 directions are reversed. Most often, however, the rows are 

 laid out in accordance with the shape of the vineyard ; or, if 

 the land is hilly, the rows follow the contour of the declivities 

 to prevent soil erosion by heavy rains. 



