MISCELLANIES 295 



ern regions where nature wears a most austere countenance in 

 winter, if hardy early sorts are planted in warm soils and situ- 

 ations, and the vines are covered in the winter. Occasionally 

 one finds grapes grown profitably in commercial vineyards in 

 the northern states in regions where protection must be given 

 to prevent winter-killing, the extra work of giving protection 

 being more than offset by the high price received in local markets 

 for the fruit. 



In all locations in which winter-protection must be given, 

 several other precautions are helpful or even necessary. Thus, 

 cultivation must cease early in the season, and a cover-crop be 

 sown to help harden and mature the vines. The grapes, also, 

 must not be planted in soils rich in nitrogen, and nitrogenous 

 fertilizers must be applied with care. The pruning should be 

 such as does not induce great growth. These simple precau- 

 tions to hasten maturity often suffice in climates where the 

 danger of winter-killing is but slight, but where danger is 

 imminent the vines must be covered either by wrapping or by 

 laying down. Wrapping with straw may suffice for a few 

 vines, but when many vines are to be protected, laying them 

 down is cheaper and much more effectual. 



By laying down is meant that the vines must be placed on 

 the ground and there be protected by earth and snow or other 

 covering. It is obvious that to protect thus, the vines must 

 receive special training ; otherwise the trunks may be too stiff 

 for bending. Some method of training must be chosen in 

 which renewals may be made rather frequently from the ground 

 so that if the trunks become large, clumsy and unpliable, a more 

 manageable trunk can be trained. If the provisions for re- 

 newal are kept in mind, any one of the several methods of 

 training grapes explained in Chapter VIII on training may be 

 used. 



Laying down must be preceded by pruning, after which the 

 arms and trunk are loosened from the wires and bent to the 



