But little work is required in the vineyard this month. Weeds may be kept down by the hoe, or a light plowing - which some vine-growers think useful to the ripening of the fruit I do not, however, and prefer letting the vineyard alone, except to tie up loose or fallen branches. The grapes will begin to color the first week in this month - and in forward seasons, to ripen about the last week in it - but the vintage should not commence until the first or second week in October, or until the fruit is thoroughly ripe. The yield will not be so great, but the wine will be much better. The practice of breaking off the ends of the bearing wood intended for next year, is a bad one, and should be abandoned. The wood ripens better without this effort to force its maturity, and the danger of starting the young buds prematurely will be avoided.

Previous to the commencement of the vintage, the press, tubs, and casks, must be well cleansed, first with warm, and then with cold water; and everything about the wine-house and cellar, put in the most perfect order. Neatness and cleanliness, is as necessary in making wine, as in making butter.

In the calendar for August, " grub," was printed for rot.

Note

The rot during July, and early in August, was so destructive in the vineyards of the West and Southwest, as to leave scarcely more than one-fourth or one-fifth of an average crop on the vines. There are a few good crops in particular localities; but very few. Kelly's Island, in Lake Erie, opposite Sandusky, is one of those favored spots.