102 Vineyard Culture. 



spaces between the plants are greater than the spaces 

 between the lines, to lay them out, north and south, so 

 that they will not shade each other at mid-day. Un- 

 fortunately, it is not always possible so to lay them out. 

 The shape of the ground is frequently an obstacle. 

 Suppose it to measure twenty to twenty-five feet wide, 

 by six hundred and fifty or nine hundred and eighty 

 feet long, as is often the case, and that this strip lies 

 east and west, the lines can not then be laid out across 

 so narrow a belt ; the inclination of the soil and. its ex- 

 posure, also frequently prevent the execution of this 

 plan. If an abrupt hill-side has a -southern exposure, 

 the vines can not be laid out in rows parallel to the de- 

 clivity, except at the risk of soon having the soil torn 

 up and washed down to the base of the hill by the 

 heavy rains, in which case we should be compelled to 

 carry it back. Therefore, the preceding directions 

 must be followed as nearly as possible, at the same time 

 taking into account such obstacles as may present 

 themselves. 



Last Preparation of the Soil. — -We have ad- 

 vised the uniform breaking up of the entire surface of 

 the ground destined for a vineyard. This work being 

 done before winter, the soil will remain fallow until 

 planting time. It is then lightly plowed to the depth 

 of four or six inches, across the first plowing, and har- 

 rowed so as to level the surface soil and facilitate the 

 planting. 



Choice of Plants. — ^Under the head of propagation 

 we have seen that either crossette-cuttings, or roots, 

 may be used for planting a vineyard. We will now show 

 how to choose between the two. 



