21 
PLANTING. 
In this State the best time for planting grapes is in the spring. 
As soon as the ground can be prepared, planting may begin. It is 
best to have it completed by the last of May. If it is possible to 
select cloudy weather for the planting it is of course wise to do so, 
but in extensive operations such selection is not possible. 
The vines are received from the nursery just as they are taken up, 
consequently some pruning is necessary before they are planted. 
The last season's wood is to be cut back to the second or third bud. 
This seems to the beginner like a great sacrifice of wood, but ex- 
perience has shown the wisdom of the practice. The roots, if very 
long, may be shortened to one foot, and such as proceed from joints 
above the base may be removed entirely. Such pruning will greatly 
facilitate planting, and the vines will be better able to establish 
themselves in their new conditions. 
A peck of good soil drawn over the roots, if the planting is being 
done in open furrows, and made firm by tramping over it, will keep 
the plants in place until more ground can be thrown to the vines 
by plowing or harrowing. 
For Concords and Niagaras the distance between plants is 8 feet 
with 9 feet between the rows. If varieties, like the Delaware, mak- 
ing less wood are planted, a less distance between the plants would 
suffice, but the distances named prevail in nearly all the commercial 
vineyards. Eight feet by 8 feet and feet by 9 feet are distances 
frequently used also. 
The number of vines per acre at 8 ft. x 8 ft. is 680. 
The number of vines per acre at 8 f t. x 9 ft. is G05. 
The number of vines per acre at 9 ft. x 9 ft. is 537. 
CULTIVATION. 
The first two years in the life of a vineyard constitute a critical 
period because there is no financial return for the labor required and 
just as much tillage must be given then as in any subsequent year. 
Everything that will insure the uniform and rapid growth of the 
vines must be promptly attended to. Frequent cultivation to con- 
sume the moisture and frequent hoeing out of weeds to remove 
competition will demand some labor, but this labor will be amply 
repaid by the future success of the vineyard. 
During the first year, but not longer, a hoed crop may be grown 
between the viues. Cabbage, tomatoes or even strawberries have 
been grown in this way, but it is not always convenient to handle 
another crop in the vineyard. It is the opinion of experienced men 
that crops in vineyards at any time are grown at a loss to the vine*. 
