244 THE VINEYARD. [March. 
Preparation of the Soil. 
Having made choice of soil and situation, the next thing to be 
done, is to prepare it for planting; in doing of which, the follow- 
ing method is to be observed. In the Sfiring, if the soil is not 
naturally rich, give it a good coat of well rotted manure, or com- 
post; and immediately plough it in as deep as can be done, with 
four or six stout horses, or oxen, and a strong plough; after it has lain 
a month, cross harrow it, and cleanse it from stones and the roots 
of noxious weeds. About the middle of June, cross plough it 
again as deep as possible; in three weeks after, harrow it, and 
clear off all the roots of weeds and large stones. Towards the 
latter end of August, plough it again, and harrow as before. In 
November, give it another very deep ploughing, and let it lay so 
all winter, without harrowing. As early in the month of March 
following, as you find it sufficiently dry, and in good state for til- 
lage, but not before, plough it across the hill, and as deep as you 
can, running the plough twice in each score; then harrow it well, 
and you have it in a fine state for planting. 
In some ground, and very frequently in that extremely well 
adapted to the culture of the vine, the declivity is too great to cul- 
tivate it with the plough; in which case, it must be done with the 
spade, and other manual implements; and it would be well, if 
such land could be thrown, or banked up into terrasses, each capa- 
ble of receiving one, two, or three rows of vines, the better to re- 
tain the necessary manure and moisture. 
Preparations for Planting %c. 
Being provided with a number of four feet stakes, in proportion 
to the quantity you intend planting, and made as directed in Janu- 
ary, page 48; mark out your ground, in rows ranging north and 
south, as well as east and west, by placing those stakes at intervals 
of six feet distance every way, so as it may be convenient to plough 
and harrow between the rows in these directions. This is meant 
for a south exposure; but in others, they are generally arranged 
up and down hill, as well as across; though the former direction 
may be given to the rows in any situation, and perhaps with more 
advantage, as to ease of culture, and benefit of the sun. 
Six feet plant from plant, every way will not be too great a dis- 
tance, however it may appear at first view; especially in a country, 
where Providence has been very bountiful, in blessing its inhabitants 
with abundance of ground, as well as with every thing else, that tends 
to make an industrious man happy; for, if planted too close, there 
will not be room for the sun and air to pass freely between the rows, 
to ripen the fruit and dry up the moisture and autumnal damps, 
which would otherwise be imbided by the fruit, and render it crude 
and insipid; and more particularly so, when their stocks grow large, 
and their branches proportionably extend themselves on each side. 
