THE GRAPE. 157 



cess is more sure, if two or three inches of manure 

 is then spread upon them, which keeps the soil 

 moist. Before the following winter, the new shoot 

 should be cut down to two or three buds, and the 

 whole covered by a slight hilling with the hoe, as 

 young plants are often destroyed by winter the first 

 year. 



Grafting is seldom practiced and rarely needed. 

 It is however, sometimes useful in replacing a large 

 worthless vine with a fine one, in much less time 

 than by digging up and setting out a new plant, a 

 single year's growth on a vigorous stock, being 

 often sufficient to produce good crops. Rendering 

 tender grapes hardier, by insertion into hardy 

 stocks, is well worthy of trial. To prevent " bleed- 

 ing," it should be performed when the sap is not 

 in motion, or, if in spring, upon the root below the 

 surface. See Appendix. 



The soil for the grape, as for most fruits, should 

 be deep, fertile, and with a dry bottom. The grape 

 requires a mellow and clean surface. The hardy 

 American varieties, it is true, grow and bear with 

 neglected culture ; but the superiority both in quan- 

 tity and excellence more than repays good manage- 

 ment. 



The distance asunder may vary with circumstan- 

 ces. Eight feet is usually adopted. Rapid grow- 

 ers may need more space, and old vines need more 

 than young ones. 



