FRUIT CULTURE IN WISCONSIN. 
343 
the laterals grow; otherwise, in a rich soil, checking the main 
growth too suddenly it would “push” a second one. Keep 
the ground free from weeds with the hoe or cultivator. In the 
fall, as in the preceding year, the vines are to be again cov¬ 
ered ; at this time cut off the laterals formed since the princi¬ 
pal cane was pinched, which must also be cut back about two 
feet. Many cut the vine back again this year to two good eyes, 
and do not form the fruit cane until the next season, (the third 
year), but if the vines have done well, I find no difficulty in 
gaining one year. If the growth has been feeble, or in any¬ 
wise stunted, I always cut it back in proportion. There is 
more virtue in a sharp knife, used judiciously upon the vine, 
than many are aware of. Having examined and pruned as di¬ 
rected, we have now two canes to each root planted, which we 
stretch upon the ground each way from the main stem,in line 
with the vines planted, and cover as before described. 
A Trellis will be wanted the coming Spring, unless the 
vines are to be trained upon the single post, which, however, 
requires more care, and has not yet proved of any benefit over 
the common trellis—I speak with reference to this climate. 
The common method is to set posts, of any durable timber, be¬ 
tween the vines, and one at each end of the row, and immedi¬ 
ately in range with them ; upon these, strips of inch board are 
nailed, one and a half inches wide, and fifteen inches apart, 
from the ground upward. No. eight wire, drawn from post to 
post, also makes a light and airy frame. A mode of trellis, or 
grape frame, which proved favorable for preserving the vines 
through the frost of June 4th, ’59, though a little more expen¬ 
sive, has many advantages. 
It consists of two posts set in the ground, either side of the 
vine, six feet apart, and one or two feet high, with pin holes 
near the tops for attaching the frame ; which is made of two 
by four scantling, six feet long, with holes for the pins, so as 
to hinge it to the posts, and with cross bars, one by two inches 
embattened their thickness in the scantling. The whole frame 
may be tapering to three feet at the top, which is supported by 
