116 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



Never plant, under any consideration, just after or 

 during a rain, when the soil is wet and heavy. It is best 

 to have the soil pretty dry, so that, during the process of 

 planting, the soil may be pressed to the roots with the 

 foot without danger of hardening it. If the work is done 

 in the fall, it will be necessary, just before the ground 

 freezes, to bend the cane to the earth, and cover it slightly 

 with a few spadefuls of soil. Then throw a slight cover- 

 ing^ of litter around each vine, if it can be conveniently 

 obtained. This will keep the frost from penetrating too 

 severely, and will favor a slight root-action during the 

 winter. Uncover the cane in the spring before the buds 

 become too much started. On a warm southern slope, 

 they will start earlier when covered than when exposed. 

 Judgment must therefore be exercised not to allow the 

 buds to become too forward, and, on the other hand, not 

 to expose them to severe freezing. As the buds start, 

 rub off all but the three strongest which are near the base. 

 When these are sufficiently grown to take the first tie, 

 select the most promising shoot, and secure it to the stake, 

 or trellis. This work must not be delayed, else the young 

 shoots are very liable to become broken by the wind, or 

 to be bent and misshapen. At this time, the other two 

 shoots (which were only a reserve against accidents) are 



