Berries and Small Fruits 243 



If a few vines are to be set against walls, or in 

 other out-of-the-way places, prepare the ground for 

 them by excavating a good-sized hole, putting in a 

 foot of coal cinders or other drainage material, and 

 refilling with good heavy loam, enriched with old, 

 well rotted manure and half a peck of wood ashes. 

 For culture in the garden, such special preparation 

 will not be necessary — although, if the soil is not in 

 good shape, it will be advisable slightly to enrich 

 the hills. 



One or two-year roots will be the most satisfac- 

 tory to buy. They may be set in either fall or 

 spring — the latter time, for New York or north, 

 being generally preferable. When planting, the 

 cane should be cut back to three or four eyes, and 

 the roots should also be shortened back — usually 

 about one-third. Be sure to make the hole large 

 enough, when setting, to let the roots spread natu- 

 rally, and work the soil in well around them with 

 the fingers. Set them in firmly, by pressing down 

 hard with the ball of the foot after firming by hand. 

 They are set about six feet apart. 



GRAPE PRUNING 



As stated above, the vine is cut back, when plant- 

 ing, to three or four eyes. The subsequent pruning 

 — and the reader must at once distinguish between 

 pruning, and training, or the way in which the vines 



