336 TH E VINEYARD. [April. 
The grafting of various kinds of fruit-trees, may be performed in 
the early part of this month, as directed in the Nursery, for March) 
page 249, &c. 
THE VINEYARD. 
Vine cuttings preserved since the time of pruning, as direct- 
ed in page 247, may yet be planted in the method pointed out, in 
page 248; and all the other work directed to be done in the Vine- 
yard, in March, should now be finished as early as possible. Rooted 
plants may also be planted out into rows, at proper distances, but the 
earlier in the month, the better. 
If neglected last month, you must early in this, before the buds 
begin to shoot, either plough, dig, or deeply hoe, the ground between 
the vines. This is indispensable: the surface must always be kept 
loose, clean, and free from weeds, or the consequence will be, the 
having of few fruit, and these of a bad and insipid quality. Keep- 
ing the earth loose and pulverized by frequent working, will cause 
it to attract the dews, imbibe the rains freely, when such occur, 
and consequently, to be constantly stored with a sufficient supply 
of nourishment, for the plants and fruit; and moreover, the reflec- 
tion of the sun, from the clean surface, wiil dry and dissipate the 
damps, that would otherwise cause the fruit to become mildewed, 
and render their quality crude and insipid. 
In looking over the vines about the end of the month, observe 
to displace such young shoots or prominent buds, as appear use- 
less, or promise to be injurious to those intended for bearing fruit. 
Many small weakly shoots, generally, arise from the old stocks or 
branches, that seldom produce fruit, and are supernumerary; such 
should be rubbed off close, except in places where a supply of new 
wood or shoots for next year's bearing are wanted; in which case, 
a suitable number should be carefully preserved. This operation 
ought, at this time, to be performed with the finger and thumb, 
nipping or rubbing them off, close to where produced. 
Where two shoots arise from one bud, take the worst away, the 
remaining one will grow stronger, and its fruit be numerous and 
large in proportion. 
The vines should now have stakes placed to them, such as are 
directed to be made in page 48, and any old or decayed poles, re- 
placed with new, if not done in the former months; in order to tie 
and train the young advancing shoots thereto. 
Any very long shoots of the last year, left upon strong and estab- 
lished stocks, for fruiting more abundantly, as directed in page 148, 
may about the first of this month, when the sap has arisen, and the 
shoots become pliant, be bent round the stake, in the form of a 
hoop, and made fast thereto with a willow twig, Stc. by this method it 
