CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 103 



ing, whether this work is necessary. The distances for 

 the drains will vary from twenty to forty feet apart, 

 according to the nature of the soil. It is desirable to 

 place the tile from three to four feet deep, in order that 

 they may be out of reach of the roots. We are next to 

 consider the nature of the soil, the purpose for which the 

 grapes are cultivated, and the particular kinds to be 

 planted. If the soil is a light, silicious sand, some clay 

 may be added with other enriching material. A strong 

 gravelly soil will require a compost of two-thirds vege- 

 table mould with one-third of stable manure which has 

 been mixed for some time previous. 



Fifteen cords of this compost to the acre is little 

 enough dressing for most New-England soils. Indeed, 

 for the purpose of obtaining table fruit, and for such 

 varieties as the Delaware, this quantity may be doubled ; 

 but, for such strong and long-jointed kinds as the Concord, 

 a less amount than that first named will generally be 

 found sufficient. The compost is to be spread evenly 

 over the whole surface. To this compost we may add, 

 with profit to most soils, at the rate of two barrels of un- 

 slacked lime for every acre. Wood-ashes are always in 

 order for the grape : yet the sole object for the first two 

 years is to produce wood only ; and for this the natural 



