long and set two to two and one-half feet in the ground, with twenty-four feet spaces between 

 posts, which will take three vines, eight feet apart, or two vines twelve feet apart. After the 

 posts are set, a three-eighths-inch hole should be bored through each post, four feet from the surface 

 x,i the ground, in the direction in which the row runs, leaving six inches or more of post above 

 the hole. These holes are for the admittance of the middle, lower wire, of the trellis. 



For each end post prepare for cross-arm, a piece of two by four hard pine or oak, two feet 

 long, and at one inch from either end, and one inch from the upper side, bore a three-eighths of 

 an inch bit-hole, or saw into upper side half an inch, which will take less time and do as well, 

 to pass the lateral wires through, and in the middle of the lower side, saw a notch one-half inch 

 deep. For each intermediate post, prepare a board of similar wood, two feet long, one inch thick 

 by four broad, and likewise bore or notch. 



Through the holes in the posts run a No. 11 galvanized wire, fasten at one end, tighten at 

 the other end by a wire stretcher and fasten. This will be the middle and lower wire of the trellis, 

 and all that will be needed the first year, when the young vines are trained up a string, tied from 

 the vine (when set) to the wire, and along it. 



The arms, and the two lateral wires which they bear, need not be put on the trellis until 

 after the vines are pruned and tied the next winter. 



To put on the cross-arms, use no bolts or nails, only No. 11 galvanized wire. 



Each end cross-arm is placed inside the post, and against it on top of the wire, already thru 

 the posts, notch-side downward, straddling the wire, to keep it from sliding. Then take a piece 

 of same size wire, about seven feet long, pass one end thru the bit-hole, or saw-notch, in one 

 end of arm and fasten it by looping and twisting about six inches of the end back upon itself, 

 then while one person holds the cross-arm in place, the operator carries the wire down around the 

 post once near the ground, staples it on each side and brings the other end up to the opposite end 

 of arm, puts it thru the bit hole, or saw-notch, draws it tightly, keeping the arm level, and 

 fastens the end of the wire as was done the other. Wire nippers and pliers will be needed for 

 this work. Then take another piece of wire about two feet long, and put it twice around the 

 cross-arm and the post where they come together, above the middle wire, and firmly tie them 

 together, crossing the wire as it goes around. This will hold the arm in place and not weaken 

 or split the arm as do nails and bolts, and will be longer-lasting, quicker and cheaper, and more 

 elastic, so that when struck by the hames or collar in cultivation, it gives a little, receiving no 

 damage. 



Likewise place the cross-arms on the intermediate posts, leaving the ends of the wire pro- 

 jecting about six inches after fastening, for a purpose soon to be mentioned. Then draw the two 

 lateral wires thru the bit holes in the ends of the arms, or drop ihto the saw-notches, if such 

 are made, thruout the row, tighten with the wire stretcher and fasten. Then return along 

 each lateral wire, wrapping ends of wire at the ends of the arms very closely and tightly around 

 the thru-going lateral wires, as telegraph and telephone wires are wrapped in splicing. This 

 is quickly done with the proper pliers, and prevents the arms from slipping out of proper position. 

 Now the trellis is complete, and will need little or no repairs, and looks very neat, especially if 



painted. 



One other matter should not be neglected. Into the soil at the foot of the middle post of 

 each row, a wire should be run into the earth deeply, say two or three feet, which can usually 

 be done with the hands, if the soil is moist and not too rocky, then the wire should be brought 

 up by the post, wound tightly once or twice around the middle wire and then be cut off some 

 eight or ten inches above, and left projecting straight up, to serve as a lightning rod; A vineyard 

 thus provided with lightning arresters will take off, noiselessly and harmlessly, the heaviest of 

 charges from a cloud. I have had rows of vines, not provided with the ground wires, almost 

 destroyed by lightning. 



—225— 



