LAYING OUT VINEYARD 



347 



of its own, for the obvious reason that depending on such roots 

 would make the vine no longer resistant. The advantage of cov- 

 ering the graft with earth is, however, still to be enjoyed, for the 

 earth can be raised in a little mound around the graft, to be 

 removed when the graft has taken well. For this reason grafting 

 on resistant roots is usually done at or near the surface of the 

 ground. 



The common cleft graft is used when the stock is large enough 

 to give a split strong enough to hold in the scion. In grafting 

 smaller stocks the whip graft is used both in making cutting- 

 grafts and in grafting cuttings already rooted. This graft is 

 variously treated. It is covered with clay by some, by others 

 with grafting wax ; but the common experience is that grafting 

 wax makes too tight a joint, and holds in surplus sap, which 

 begets disease. The use of a wax band specially adapted to ruling 

 conditions has proved very successful, but the easiest and usually 

 most satisfactory way is to wind with soft twine or raffia which 

 will decay and loosen as the graft enlarges, but care must be taken 

 to cut the band if it has not decayed at the time of transplanting. 



LAYING OUT THE VINEYARD 



Vines are planted in rectangles, generally in squares, but some- 

 times at a less distance in the rows than the rows are from each 

 other. The stakes which are to represent the future vines are in 

 either case placed by the same methods of measuring or mark- 

 ing off. All the methods described for clearing and preparing 

 lands, in Chapter VII, and for laying off ground in squares, 

 described in Chapter X, are applicable to vineyard ground. The 

 measuring wire therein described is the means usually employed 

 for laying off. A special contrivance which has been used to 

 some extent on level ground is thus described : 



The marker most in use is made in the form of a sled, sixteen, fourteen, 

 or twelve feet long, with three runners so placed as to mark rows eight, 

 seven, or six feet wide. These runners should be made about three feet long, 

 of some hard wood (Oregon pine will do), two inches thick and firmly 

 nailed to two planks placed upon them of the lengths first above named. 

 Upon these should be bolted two strong pieces of joist in the form of wagon 

 hounds projecting in front far enough to receive a stout pole like a wagon- 

 tongue, well braced and fastened with an iron rod. Care must be taken that 

 the motion of the machine is steady and true in all its parts. With a well- 

 made marker, a gentle team, and a careful driver, excellent work may be 

 done. 



Distance of Planting. There is as much difference of opinion 

 and practice in fixing the distance between vines as between 

 orchard trees, but usually more room is given than formerly. 

 Planted in squares, the distance varies from seven to ten feet, 

 with eight feet as most prevalent, taking the State as a whole. 



