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tion of the rays of light and heat from a light colored 

 surface would help to hasten the ripening of the fruit and 

 wood of the vine. 



If you have more and desire to plant in vineyard form, 

 set cedar posts ten feet apart, and six feet out of ground. 

 Then commence eighteen inches from the ground and run 

 strong galvanized wire from post to post, fastening firmly 

 with fence staples. Three other strands may be placed 

 fifteen inches apart. Plant your vines at each post and 

 train both to right and left, fastening the vine to the wire 

 by means of leather or soft pieces of cord. Copper wire 

 is sometimes used for this purpose and is very durable, 

 but is liable to cut the vines when lieavily laden with 

 fruit. 



Fertilizing. In looking over the soils of those countries 

 where the vine has been most successfully cultivated, we 

 find such an abundance of mineral substances that the 

 water is unfit to drink. Soda, sulphur, lime and iron 

 abound with phosphorus in all sorts of combination. In 

 New York state, where such large crops of grapes are 

 raised, we find the whole region underlaid by a bed of 

 lime rock. Hence we are to study the soil and find where- 

 in it lacks the necessary elements of success, applying 

 what is needed. All dressing for the vine should be 

 thoroughly composted. Bone for the phosphorus, and 

 wood ashes for the potash ; sulphur, iron and some vegeta- 

 ble mould as an absorbant. Mix well and sprinkle the pile 

 well over with land plaster to prevent the waste by the 

 evaporation of gasses, especially ammonia. Apply in 

 early spring and work in thoroughly. Saving your soap- 

 suds on wash days and applying about the roots will well 

 repay the trouble, or better, partly fill an old barrel with 

 ashes, soot, old iron and ground bone, pour your suds on 

 to it and apply from time to time. 



Thinning the fruit. Here will come the test of your 

 moral courage. Taking your clippers and going through 

 your vines, and cutting out all small and imperfect bunch- 



