Feb.] THE VINEYARD. 147 
ground of a very hot nature, but, if very cold or stiff, which ought 
to be as much avoided as possible in the planting of a Vineyard, it 
may be improved by well rotted horse dung or street dirt; when 
these cannot be had, any kind of well incorporated rich compost 
or other manure may be used. 
If the Vineyard be on the declivity of a hill, and that your vines 
are not more than one, two, or three years old, scatter a good 
shovel-full or two of this manure, principally, on the upper side of 
each plant, observing that none of it reaches within six inches of 
the stem; for if placed close thereto, slugs, worms, and the em- 
bryos of various insects, so frequently found in dung and other 
manure, would take shelter about the stock, penetrate down along 
its roots, and might materially injure it at a future period. But 
when these are exposed without the advantage of this protection, 
to the severe frosts of the season, the greater number of them will 
be destroyed thereby. 
The manure so placed, its nutritive parts will be washed down by 
rains, and the whole, by the necessary culture, will ultimately be 
brought to the roots of the plants. When the Vineyard happens 
to be on level ground, scatter the manure as above, equally around 
the plants. 
If your vines are four years old or more, let it be cast all over the 
ground, as by this time the roots will be extended to a considerable 
distance in every direction, and prepared to receive nourishment at 
all points. 
Pruning of Vines in the Vineyard. 
In the middle states, the last week of this month will be an excel- 
lent time to prune vines, unless it should happen to be extremely 
severe; in which case, it will be better to defer the pruning for a 
few days longer, but on no account later than the first week in 
March; which latter period, will be a good time to commence that 
business in the eastern states, allowing there, the same latitude in 
similar cases: but the more to the southward, the earlier ought 
this to be done, for if deferred till the sap begins to ascend, serious 
evils will ensue to the plants, in consequence of bleeding too co- 
piously from the wounds. Let it be observed that the sap begins to 
rise six weeks or better, before the buds expand into leaves. 
Such plants as are but one year old from the cuttings, must be cut 
down to one or two good buds each, according to their strength, 
always cutting about an inch above the bud in a sloping manner, 
and on the opposite side thereto, observing that the lowermost bud 
next the old wood, is never reckoned among the good ones. 
Such of these young plants as have made more than one shoot 
last season, must be deprived of all, by cutting them off as close as 
possible to the old wood, except the strongest and best placed; 
which, prune as above directed, and cut off such part of the old wood 
close to this shoot, as appears above it; in order that the bark may 
grow over it, and the stem become whole and sound. 
Your two years old plants, must be similarly treated, with this dif- 
ference, that you may leave two good buds to each, in order to form 
as many strong shoots for the next season. 
