6 _ to the condition of 
Preparing. 
GRAPE MANUAL. 
Planting. 29 
‘favored that no artificial protection is needed. 
Remember, however, that n 
suited to all kinds of grapes. 
2. A good soil for the vineyard should be a 
dry, calcareous loam, sufficiently deep (say 3 
feet), loose and friable, draining itself readily. 
A sandy, yet moderately rich soil is better 
long been in cultivation, unless these have been 
put in clover and rested afew years. If you 
‘have such a location and soil, seek no further, 
-ask no chemist to analyze its ingredients, but 
.g0 at once to 
PREPARING THE SOIL. 
“The preparation of the soil is undoubtedly 
-one of the m po. t operations in the 
establishment of a vineyard, and one of its 
objects should be to get the soil of a uniform 
texture and richness throughout, but not over- 
rich. This deep stirring of the soil puts it very 
much in the condition of a sponge, which ena- 
bles it to draw moisture from the soil beneath 
-and from the at above, and hold it for 
the wants of the e plant; hence, soils that ar 
those that are not so treated. It is of the first 
importance, therefore, that. vineyards and or- 
-chards at least should be put in the best condi- 
tion for the reception of the vines and trees, if 
the best results are aimed at.”’ Pet. Henderson, 
The old system of trenching is no more prac- 
taken the place of the spade, and has greatly 
lessened the expense. While we would urgea 
thorough work in the preparation of the soil | 
before planting the vine, and warn against 
piuiting in ditches, or, still worse, in square 
holes, we believe that by careful grabbing (in 
timber lands), leaving no stumps, which would 
ual eyesores and 2) negepeana 
en, using a 
breaking plow, followed by the subsoil A 
bouton will be stirred as deeply (say 20 inches) 
to i and 
- necessary 
; | baaly goth of vines. This will require two 
_ to three yoke of oxen to each ap according 
ne the soil. old ground a 
common two-horse 
— a followed in ‘the maine 
plow, with a ® span song 
furrow 
; yg ee ee 
by a subsoil stirrer, will be sufficient to stir the 
soil deeply and thoroughly, and will leave itas 
mellow and as nearly in its natural position as 
desirable. This may be done during any time 
of the year when the ground is open and not too 
wet. Most soils would be benefited by under- 
draining; the manner of doing this is the same 
as for other farm crops, except that for vines 
the drains should be placed deeper; it is less 
important on our hillsides, and too costly to 
be here practiced to a great roe wet spots, 
however, must be drained at least by gutters, 
and, to prevent the ground from washing, or 
ditches should be made, leading into a 
ditch. Steep hillsides, if used at all, ahoakl be 
terrae 
PLANTING, 
_ The soil sing thus thoroughly prepared and 
e condition, you are rea y for 
Th g this here, 
is in the fall, after the Ist of N ovember, or in 
the spring, before the Ist of May. Seasons dif- 
fer and sometimes make later planting advisa- 
ble, but never during frost nor while the ground 
is too wet. If you have been delayed with your 
work of preparing — soilin spring, the young 
— = the nursery should be hilled in 
some cool, dry an and oben so that their 
OPT: be retarded ; if they. have already 
made shoots, be specially eareful to guard 
against their roots getting dry. Most vine- 
yards are planted in spring; in northern and 
very cold localities, this may be eras 
We prefer fall planting ; the ground wi 
erally be in better condition, as we have eos 
weather in the fall, and more time to spare. 
The ground can settle among the roots in win- 
fore the condition of the ground would have 
permitted planting, and the young plants, 
commencing to grow as soon as the frost is 
out of the ground, will start with full vigor | 
in spring. To prevent the roots from. = 
spring, and, if 
you had nck wet better cultivate it with corn or 
