South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1837-04-15
CULTURE OF THE GRAPE.

fcCllonS On the pest MODE OF obtaining
this agreeable fruit, may nevertheless
be acceptable:
Propagatiom.-This is done either by
layers or cuttings. Layers are made
by simply burying in earth at the mid
die, the youngest and most thrifty
shoots thi causes them to root at the
joints, and thus form young plants. Cat
ttngs may be taken from the vine any
time between the commencement and
latter part of winter; they are best when
the eyes or buds are round and plump,
the joints short, and the wood cylindri-
cal; these qualities are only found near
the lower part Of the shoot; the lowest
buds ofall are imperfect, and should be
rejected. Cuttings are always to be Of
last summers growth. Ifthey are toll
erably short jointed, they may be cut
to a length Of from eight to twelve in
ches, observing that the upper bud is
plump and good. The lower end is to
be cut off half on inch below the lower
bud, and the upper one, one Or two in
ches above the upper enc. Plant the
cuttings by placing them slightly incli-
ned in the ground, and SO deep that the
upper bud may be just even with the
surface. Ifcuttings are planted where
they are intended to remain, it is best
to put two in place, to insure greater
certainty Of uccess,placing them few
inches apart, and spreading from each
other below, so that one may be taking
up without displacing the roots of the
other. The soil in the immediate con-
tact of the cutting should be rich and
very fine, and kept moist until it is
fairly rooted, which will be the case
when the shoot has grown six or eight
inches. As the shoot advances it should
be tied to pole; and all smaller shoots
and lateral branches removed with the
thumb and finger, keeping a single.
clean and handsome stem, which re-
ce!ving all the nourishment, will be-
come most vigorous growth.
Cuttings planted late, succeed better
than those planted early. They should
therefore be kept during the early part
of spring in cool damp place, as Gel
lar or ice house, and occasionally sprin-
killed. with water to keep them fresh, un-
til the temperature of the weather be-
comes such as immediately to spur
them into vigorous and uninterrupted
growth.
Soil and transptantimg.-The soil
best adapted to the vine is light, rich
deep loain. A very essential points to
have the ground deeply loesened in
digging for some feet round the plant,
at the commencement of the culture.
This indeed would insure success in
almost any soil, even the stifast and
heaviest. A rich soil is always best,
but manure should never be appliedun-
less it be very finely rotted, and then it
should be thoroughly mixed with the
earth. If the ground has been manur-
ed in former years it will be much bet
ter. A very rich soil has tendency
to produce wood rather than fruit.
The same care is to be observed In
transplanting the vine as in fruit trees;
being very careful in removing the
roots, never to suffer them to become
dry; and covering them with very fine
ly pulverized and moderately moist
earth. 1t is important to keep the soil
always loose at the surface by cultiva-
ton, and never SITTER it to be overrun
by weeds.
Pruning and irdining.-The great
error with most ciiltivators, is in too
sparing use Of the knife. Pruning is in
general too much neglected, Or not
freely enough performed, and numer-
Gus lateral branches are suffered to
grow from all parts of the vines some
times they are allowed to run to the
widest confusion. tits true the hardy