FRUIT CULTURE IN WISCONSIN. 
341 
upon the east side of a tight and high board fence, keeping a 
few feet distant. In this manner we secure the full benefit of 
the early morning sun, and avoid the heavy west winds by pro¬ 
tection with the fence. In making a selection of site for vines 
it may not always be possible to have it just to our liking; if it 
is, select an elevated piece of ground with a south-easterly as¬ 
pect, broken from the west and north-west winds by hills or 
timber in the distance. If the planting is upon a smaller 
scale, and more convenient, there is no better way than to 
plant as directed, by the fence. I have never failed to ripen 
my crop of Isabellas upon vines planted without protection up¬ 
on the level prairies, which situation is most frequently found 
among the western farmers. The grape loves a deep and well 
pulverized soil, worked two spades deep, during the fall pre¬ 
ceding the planting—there being incorporated with the soil, at 
that time, a good quantity of well decomposed manure and 
wood ashes. The best time for planting is in early spring, as 
as soon as the ground is light and mellow; for, if done while 
wet, it is apt to bake, thereby stunting the young plants, which 
may require years to recover. Fall planting is often successful, 
but the severities of our winters are against the practice.— 
When done, the young vines must be covered entirely over with 
the soil, for protection, to be removed the next spring. 
Selection and Preparation oe Vines. —The vines are now 
to be selected, and there is much difference of opinion existing as 
to the most suitable age. With vines grown the usual way, viz : 
by cuttings consisting of two or three buds, all of which will 
give out roots, and after the first year extend for a long dis¬ 
tance into the soil, I find that the most successful plants are 
those but one year old ; as, with them, the root is all obtained. 
Another mode of propagation, and much to be preferred, is 
by single eyes. Take an eye and plunge it into a prepared 
compost: it will readily root, all the roots issuing from one 
point, which can be easily and evenly spread near the surface 
in planting, and in much less time than is required in digging 
the large and deep holes for those grown from layers or cut- 
