CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 145 



way is to draw the wires horizontally from post to post. 

 The first wire is the support for the arm, and should be a 

 foot from the ground at least. Even at this distance, it is 

 sometimes the case that the lower bunches of fruit art- 

 spattered with earth during heavy showers. The next 

 wire should not be more than eight inches above the first, 

 in order that the young shoots may obtain an early sup- 

 port. The next wire may be from twelve to sixteen 

 inches above the second, and from twenty to twenty-four 

 inches above the first. The top wire will therefore be 

 from thirty-two to thirty-six inches from the ground. 

 Three wires will generally be found quite sufficient. 

 When the shoots are extended to three feet, however, it 

 may be desirable, in windy positions, to have a fourth 

 wire. The ends of the shoots may, with safety, extend 

 from six to nine inches beyond the last tie. The posts 

 may be planted twelve feet apart ; and, being but about 

 three feet above the surface, of course the strain will be 

 slight. Yet it is best to put a brace to the inside of the 

 two end-posts of each row, as this secures against all sag- 

 ging. Galvanized wire has been recommended as being 

 more durable. It is much the most expensive, and is no 

 more permanent than common annealed wire can be 

 made to be by a trifling expense in painting. I have 



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