106 MY VINEYARD. 



give a more uniform exposure of the grapes to the sun. 

 The posts should be long enough so as to be from four^ 

 feet eight inches, to five feet in height, after being set. 

 Four wires are then stretched along the posts, being fast- 

 ened to each post with a staple, which is driven in so 

 firmly that the wire is prevented from slipping through. 

 By this means the wire is prevented from sagging in one 

 place more than another, and the strain of contraction and 

 expansion by heat and cold is evenly distributed among 

 the posts. The two end posts should be larger than the 

 others, and braced so that the contraction of the wires 

 will not loosen them. The first wire is placed about four- 

 teen inches from the ground, an (J the others the same dis- 

 tance apart. This brings the upper wire about four feet 

 eight inches from the ground. Sometimes only three 

 wires are used, but I prefer four, as it permits tying up the 

 vines more thoroughly.' I think this advantage more 

 than compensates for the extra expense. The wire used 

 is 'No. 9, annealed iron. If the trelHses are eight feet 

 apart, and four wi-res are used, about twelve hundred and 

 fifty pounds will be required for an acre. As to the 

 proper distance apart for the trelhses, there is a difference 

 of opinion. I think ^ight feet the most desirable, but 

 would increase rather than diminish it. 



