New Oregon Plaindealer

HOW TO PLANT GRAPEVINES
Mr. Fuller's Practical Treatise on Grape Culture contains as much practical information on the subject as any work or directions we have seen. It is true that in the following extract field culture is referred to, but every one knows how, or ought to know how, to apply it to garden culture or a single vine. Its insertion now is timely, and all who choose and all who are about to set out vines, appropriate the information.

PLANTING.—When a number of vines are to be planted, it is best to dig the trenches before the vines are taken from the nursery, and when they are taken from the place where they have been heeled-in, their roots should be kept in a box or basket filled with loamy moss, or protected in some such manner. The vines should also be pruned before they are taken into the field. Prune the roots, as has already been directed, and cut off the stems to about eight inches. The holes to receive the vine should be dug in a circular form, and is six to ten inches deep upon the outside, and four to six inches in the centre; then, set a good strong stake in the centre of the hole, for unless the stake is placed in position before the vine is put in, there is great danger of injuring some of the roots of the vine when driving it in with its side after it is in. Now set the vine in, to whatever depth the roots are of equal length to the stake, spread the roots in every direction, and throw on a little soil so as to cover the roots. When all the roots are properly placed, fill up the holes, pressing down the soil with the feet—to give the same the proper quarter of contact with the roots.

In planting one or more the instructions are the same, only spread out the roots and manure to put with the earth. The vines should always descend a little from the stem to their farthest point, and pack down the soil up around them. It should be given the same pressure, as near as may be, along their whole length. If the vines are planted in the fall, then a small mound of earth should be made around the stem so as to protect two or three buds above such as would be covered if the ground were made level. But when the grounds are planted in the spring, the hole need not be filled quite full, but a shallow basin may be left around the stem so the rains shall more readily reach the roots. This basin around the vine can be filled when the vines get well started in growth.

AFTER MANAGEMENT.—When the buds begin to push into growth, select the strongest and rub the others off; a bud near the ground is preferable to one that is a foot above, and this is one reason why the vines should be cut off quite short when planted, as it makes the lower bud more sure to push. After the one bud or shoot has been selected, the old stem above it may be cut off to within two inches of the young shoot. As the young cane grows, keep it tied to the stake, but do not tie it so tightly as to interfere with its expansion as it grows. Keep the laterals stopped according to the directions already given. Stir the soil around the plants, the oftener the better, and keep down all weeds. Bass is an excellent material for tying the vines as it is not liable to injure the tender shoots; besides it costs less than cunning in twine.

When any particular vine, or a number of them, do not grow as rapidly as desired they should receive some extra manure, either liquid manure from the barnyard or a solution of soap or of the concentrated manures in water, giving enough to completely saturate the soil to their roots. When it is not convenient to apply manures in a liquid form, a barrow-load of compost may be spread upon the surface about the vine. We should endeavor to produce a uniform growth, so that all the vines in each row at least, shall be of nearly the same size as possible.

The vines, at the end of the first season will usually be large enough to be pruned for training, but many of the more feeble growing varieties will require another year, and they should be cut back in the fall or winter to two or three buds, only one of which should be allowed to grow, as in the first year.