502 TRANSACTIONS OF THJB AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



investigation. If the Concord received its vigorous and hardy char- 

 acter from tlie cold regions of its birthplace, may we not liave much 

 confidence in the success of the celebrated " Walter grape," which 

 originated in a bleak valley of Modena, Ulster county, New York, 

 celel)rated for its early frosts ? For hardiness it doubtless has many 

 advantages over the lona, Roger's Hybrid, tlie Eumelan, and other 

 vaneties that originated nnder more favorable circumstances. In 

 regard to the most suitable soil for the grape is a question that can 

 only be settled by experiment ; each variety recjuires a soil that can 

 supply those elements necessary for its healthy development. The 

 " Hartford Prolific" and Catawba are the best suited and give their 

 best results on a soil inclined to a clay loam ; but the Concord is one 

 of those strong, rampant growers, and Avill generally take care of 

 itself and sncceed on any soil that will grow corn well. Yon will 

 please indulge a few plain thoughts that might be of some value to new 

 beginners, in regard to preparing the soil, &c., which should be well 

 done as it is done once only in a lifetime. To thoroughly mix and pul- 

 verize tlie soil, from twelve to fifteen inches in de])tli, would not suit 

 either the advocates for shallow plowing or deep tillage ; yet, such a 

 preparation would doubtless produce the best results on a vineyard, 

 and it can be done very cheaply by using a large mold-board plow, 

 commencing in the ordinary way and going two or three times in 

 each furrow, lengtliening the chain at each time going through. 

 This will mix and pulverize the soil in a most thorough manner, and 

 if there is a good coat of coarse manure spread on the surface before 

 plowing, a portion of it will fall in the bottom of the furrow and 

 gradually decompose, leaving the soil loose and porous for a great 

 length of time. After tliis preparation of the soil, planting is then a 

 very simple process. Use a small plow to mark out the rows, run- 

 ning them north and south, say ten feet apart, for the strong groAvers 

 like the Concord, and after opening tliese furrows with a large plow 

 some eighteen or twenty inches deep, stretch a line crosswise at right 

 angles, and set a stake in the furrow at each angle, planting a vino 

 at each stake, spreading the i-oots in the furrow, and covering them 

 with the finest soil, pressing it slightly around the roots, and it is all 

 done in less time than the same amount of land could be planted 

 with potatoes. Clean culture is the only true method in managing a 

 vineyard, as elsewhere, and the best way to destroy weeds is to never 

 let them grow, and perhaps the best implement for doing this is the 

 Excelsior Wheel Cultivator. The method of pruning the vine for the 



