When I say
"bent over," I do not mean at right angles, so as to admit of the
possibility of its being broken, but gently and judiciously. I
cover with earth all my vines, except the Concords and Isabellas,
just before hard freezing weather; and even these two hardy kinds
I weight down close to the ground. I have never failed to secure a
crop from vines so treated. Two men will protect over a hundred
vines in a day.
In early April the young vine is uncovered again; and now the two
uppermost buds are allowed to grow and form two strong canes,
instead of one, and on this new growth four or five clusters of
grapes may be permitted to mature if the vine is vigorous. If it
is feeble, take off all the fruit, And stimulate the vine into
greater vigor. Our aim is not to obtain half a dozen inferior
clusters as soon as possible, but to produce a vine that will
eventually almost supply a family by itself. If several varieties
have been planted, some will be found going ahead rampantly;
others will exhibit a feebler growth, which can be hastened and
greatly increased by enriching the surface of the soil around them
and by a pail of soap-suds now and then in May or June--but not
later, unless there should be a severe drought. There should be no
effort to produce much growth during the latter part of the summer
and early autumn, for then both the wood and roots will be
immature and unripened when frost begins, and thus the vine
receive injury.
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