but also in raising new seedlings, among which he may obtain a prize which will “astonish the natives.”  Those, however, whose tastes carry them to such lengths in vine-culture will be sure to purchase exhaustive treatises on the subject, and will therefore give no heed to these simple practical chapters.  It is my aim to enable the business man returning from his city office, or the farmer engrossed with the care of many acres, to learn in a few moments, from time to time, just what he must do to supply his family abundantly with fruits and vegetables.

If one is about to adopt a grape-culture as a calling, common-sense requires that he should locate in some region peculiarly adapted to the vine.  If the possessor of a large farm purposes to put several acres in vineyard, he should also aim to select a soil and exposure best suited to his purpose.  Two thousand years ago Virgil wrote, “Nor let thy vineyard bend toward the sun when setting.”  The inference is that the vines should face the east, if possible; and from that day to this, eastern and southern exposures have been found the best.  Yet climate modifies even this principle.  In the South, I should plant my vineyard on a north-western slope, or on the north side of a belt of woods, for the reason that the long, hot days there would cause too rapid an evaporation from the foliage of the vines, and enfeeble, if not kill them.  In the limited space of the Home Acre one can use only such land as he has, and plant where he must; but if the favorable exposures indicated exist, it would be well to make the most of them.  I can mention, however, as encouragement to many, that I saw, last fall, splendid grapes growing on perfectly level and sandy soil in New Jersey.

A low-lying, heavy, tenacious clay is undoubtedly the worst ground in which to plant a vine; and yet by thorough drainage, a liberal admixture of sand, and light fertilizers, it can be made to produce good grapes of some varieties.  A light sandy soil, if enriched abundantly with well-decayed vegetable and barnyard manures, gives wider scope in choice of kinds; while on the ideal well-drained sandy loam that we have described, any outdoor grape can be planted hopefully if the garden is sufficiently removed from the seaboard.

As a general truth it may be stated that any land in a condition to produce a fine crop of corn and potatoes is ready for the vine.  This would be true of the entire garden if the suggestions heretofore made have been carried out.  Therefore the borders which have been named are ready to receive the vines, which may be planted in either spring or fall.  I prefer the fall season for several reasons.  The ground is usually drier then, and crumbles more finely; the young vine becomes well established and settled in its place by spring, and even forms new roots before the growing season begins, and in eight cases out of ten makes a stronger growth than follows spring planting; it is work accomplished when there is usually the greatest leisure.  If the ground is ready in early spring, I should advise no delay.  A year’s growth is gained by setting out the vines at once.  As a rule I do not advise late spring planting—­that is, after the buds have started on the young vines.  They may live, but usually they scarcely do more, the first year.