354 AMERICAN GRAPE CULTURE. 



face, as seen at a in Fig. 140, and the others on 

 the surface, as seen in Fig. 141. All modes of 

 covering are defective which expose the roots, 

 or leave the ground in such condition as to 

 favor the accumulation of water in any degree 

 whatever. After the vines are laid down, they 

 should be covered by applowing, or plowing to 

 the vines, as explained under " Cultivation" In 

 this way, the roots as well as the tops are 

 covered and protected, and fall plowing thus 

 becomes an advantage instead of an evil, as it 

 is when done in the usual way. In the spring, 

 the vines are uncovered by deplowing, or throw- 

 ing the furrow slices from the vines, as also ex- 

 plained under "Cultivation" In this way spring 

 plowing and uncovering the vines become one 

 and the same operation, and much time is 

 saved. 



In the common method the stock is bent 

 down toward the middle of the row, covered 

 with the plow, and the finishing done by hand 

 with the hoe. When the vines are bent down, 

 they must either be pegged, or enough earth 

 thrown on the stock to keep it down. The 

 covering of soil need not be more than two 

 or three inches thick. Where cedar or hem- 

 lock is abundant, the vines may be pegged 



