THE GRAPE. 129 



of eight feet apart, this quantity would give about 

 two pounds of the mixture to each vine. Culti- 

 vators aiming for heavy crops and fruit of supe- 

 rior quality will doubtless increase this amount, 

 with advantage. Bone-black from the refineries 

 may be used as a substitute for bone meal, pro- 

 vided it can be found at a moderate price. It is 

 usually bought up by dealers, who know its value 

 as an absorbent. A clean and floury condition 

 of the soil should be preserved in order that the 

 roots may have summer warmth and air. 



Vines not over two years old are best for 

 planting. Early fall is undoubtedly the best 

 time to plant, provided a little coarse manure is 

 thrown over the surface to keep out the frost. A 

 more vigorous growth will thus be secured in the 

 following season. After November 1st it would 

 be better to delay planting until April. This 

 work should be done when the soil is dry, 

 spreading the roots evenly in all directions, 

 stretching them out their full length, and at the 

 depth of four to six inches below the surface. 

 The earth is to be pressed very firmly about 

 every root, leaving the vine established as nearly 

 as possible as if it had not been moved. In the 

 spring the vine is invariably to be cut back to 

 three eyes, however long the top may previously 

 have been. As the eyes start, the two weakest 



