Planting 215 



vines by many experienced vineyardists, is that they are 

 left-overs which the nurseryman has lined-out and grown 

 a second, or even a third year before being able to dispose 

 of them. The planting should be done as early -in the 

 spring as it is possible to work the soil into good condi- 

 tion. 



The distance apart to set the vines varies to a great 

 extent with the variety and local conditions, but for the 

 Eastern and Middle Western conditions 6x8 feet apart is 

 the usual distance. Where the soil is especially fertile, 

 and the vines are of very strong growing varieties, the dis- 

 tance should be even farther apart than this. The oper- 

 ation of planting the vines goes a little slower than with 

 planting tree fruits, for as a rule the roots are much 

 longer and the holes must be made larger. 



Before planting, the tops should be cut back so as to 

 leave only about four buds on the new growth, and the 

 roots so that they are about ten inches long. This may 

 take off a very large portion of the root system, but many 

 small rootlets will quickly be sent out to take their place, 

 and the vine will start off more quickly than if the roots 

 and tops are left unpruned. In setting these young vines 

 in the ground tliey must be set deep. There is little trou- 

 ble from getting them too deep, as with some other kinds 

 of fruit, for if the roots should be at a greater depth than 

 they can grow, new roots are sent out above them, and 

 the vine goes along in fine shape. 



Early spring is the best time to set the vines, although 

 it is possible to set them at any time when the plants are 

 dormant and the soil in good condition. In the far North 

 it is generally best to plant the vines in the spring as they 

 will then not be subjected to the long period of dormancy 

 on account of the ground being frozen, and the plants pre- 

 vented from becoming established. In the Gulf Coast 

 country it is frequently best to plant the vines in the fall, 

 for the weather will be sufficiently mild during the winter 

 for them to make considerable root growth before spring 

 comes, and will then be well established and ready to start 

 off in fine shape. 



