The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-09-06

stock TO clamp until union can take place !;
then fill up with earth until the last bud is left
out When the stocks are too large to split,
they can still be grated by boring holes with
centre-bit into the face of the stock; the
scions are prepared by cutting round through
the bark, just below an eye, and taking off the
bark, insert them into the holes until the bark
comes down to wood. When the face of the
stock is large, several gratis can be inserted
i'm the same stock. As this manner Of graft
ing generally succeeds very well, it shows that
| there is not the same necessity for making the
la of the stock aud scion meet, as is the case
in grating fruit trees. The g'afts should be
protected from injury by stakes, and the stocks
should be kept free from all shoots that spring
up.
All experiments made in attempting to ma
turaze the foreign grape, appear to have prov.
ed unsucces>ful-little or no effect seems to
have been produced by engrafting them on the
hardy native varieties. The vines hourished
for few years, then die down to the point of
union, in most cases. The on y prospect seems
to be in producing new varieties by hybridizing
with the native kinds. These, in most iustan
ces, prove hardy. and in time we may succeed
in obtaining some choice varieties. From
crossing in this way, it is very probable that
the flavor of the native varieties would be great
ly improved and at the same time, they being
natural to the climate, will retain all the hardy
qualities requisite. Encouragement should be
given through the fostering care of our Socie.
ties, for choice varieties thus produced. 1t
would be the meals of bringing them into no.
tce and general cultivation.
The first year after planting nothing is ne.
cessary to support the vines, as they are to he
cut off tie second year within few inches of
the ground. They III uld then be treIlised,
and fine healthy shoot trained up 10 form the
vine. The best mode oftraining in our climate,
is the upright one. The posts should be twelve
or fourteen feet high, and good laths nailed
against them along the rows, and the tops of
the post covered with board, as suggested in
Mr.. Van Buren's excellent article con the pre-
vention of rot" The vines should be trained
against these in such a manner as to spread
over the whole. 10 ensure producliveness
and good fruit, they should be pruned annually
before the sap begins to ascend. This is ef.
fected by cutting out all the useless wood
which has been produced. and arranging the
number and length of the branches that are TO
remain, to the capacity of the vine for maturing
the next crop The necessity of the operation
will appear evident when it is considered that
the shoots which bear fruit this year will never
bear afterwards, and that vine in 4 vigorous
growth, and under good management will an
nually produce much greater number Of buds
and shoots than would bear fruit, and could
possibly perfect should they be retained. From
these considerations, it follows that iudicious
pruning is one of the most important points of
culture throughout the whole routine Of man
agement. Having formed the vine, the shoots
should be cut back to within three or four buds
of the preceding years growth, and the old or
leading shoots occasionally cut ont aud their
place supplied by training young shoots in their
stead. They should be securely fastened to
the trells by means OF offers or suitable wire.
Summer pruning is at times rcGriS;.~. This is
simply to regulate TIE young wood in such
manner as to give the sun and air free access
to every part of the vine. This will be mostly
effected by removing such shoots as have no
fruit.
The White Scurpernong succeeds easily and
bears large crops of fruit; it requires no prun.
ing after the vines have been properly trained
up. 1t is very difficult to grow from cuttings,
but succeeds by grating, and is readily propa.
gated to almost any extent by layers.
The following list will embrace nearly all
the varieties which are worthy Of open culture:
|. LESoIR-A black grape, bunches large
and compact, sometimes shoul1ered, without
pulp, berries small, black, sweet and paatable;
a native of this State, and one Of the best
grapes for wine and the table.
2. BLANDs MADEIRA-A delicious table
grape, punches loose, berries large, and of
beautiful pale rose color, skin thin, slightly
PUPPY, pleasant and delicate.
2. CATAwBA-Bunchcs medium in size,
shouldered, berries large, pale red, deeper in
the sun, with a thin lilac bloom, flesh slightly
pupy, Juicy, sweet, aromatic, rich, and slightly
mu>ky. There are several varieties produced
from this grape, but the best of these is the
Diana.
d. ISABELLA See previous description.
5. IlERBEMoNr MADGIRA-A good wine
and very pleasant table grape, bunches long
and shouldered, berries of medium size, black,
and extremely juicy free from pulp.
g. ONO, OK CIGAR Box-Is fine table
grape punches large snd shouldered, berries
small, black, sweet, and without pulp.
TO these we would add the Early Chasselas,
which was introduced by our German anees-
tors in the early settlement of the country. 1t
does not appear to succeed as well as it did
some twenty years since. This is perhaps
owing to the want of careful garden culture.
These, with such other choice native varieties
as may be obtained, will furnish good sup
ply of this wholesome and delicious fruit, and
we hope that every person who has piece of
ground, will take measures to sit under and
enjoy the fruit of his own vine.
AInir EScnShnS