The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-09-15


titles, Mr. II. l.. Brush, our Northcrt Iii.
nois vigneron, was set down for paptr on
grape growing aud wine making Bt be-
ing of opinion that he has not yet had suii-
cicnt experience, especially in the manhhc-
ture of wine from cultivated grapes, lie de.
clines publishing an essay, in this voune-
but will cndeayor to prepare one for the
next The sketch below is extracted from
private letter, not intended for publication,
but which we deem Of sufficient value to
warrant the liberty taken with it.-Ea.t
OTTAWA, August %, ls4,
DEAR DoCTOR There is no brancI VI
farming which contributes so much to-
health and a cheerful disposition AZ thcfui-
tivation of the grape, none in which tho en-
the Household so cordially and usefully en-
gage, no sight so cheering rs fruitful vine
yard with its continuous bows loaded with
natures choicest fruit. In all ages this has
been the iavorte occupation Of men. Right
eous Noah commenced farming by planting
vineyard. Why should the vine hc neg.
lectcd in Illinois, with a climate 50 c0ngcn-
al, and unsurpassed by Italian skies, and
where Indigenous vines load and cncircle
every Tree VI lllt lbli1Is lt IdltNC iIDNL
grape found al over the western states and
known as the Clinton grape IN New York,
produces wine strongly resembling pure
port which GndullcTatcd is not oqualled
for medicinal proprietics by any foreign
brands. This variety is so abundant in our
middle and southern counties that thoUs-
ands Of bushels might annually be mauutac-
turcd into this desirable vine.
The vine succeeds, but in a calcarous,
dry, warm soil, with Il pormcaJic, or porus
subsoil we naturally look to our bluffs and
their slopes as peculiarly adapted 10 the
vine. The durability and productivencss Of
u vineyard depends on a thorough prcpara-
ton Of the ground. Where the dccIiyily is
so gradual rs not to require bcnching, or
terraciug the ground should be deeply sub.
soil ploughed in the fan. Trcnching with
the spade il always better, bat more eXpcn-
siye. Every attempt to oproIucc eardes Oh hat,
impcryious, still soil, where the water stands
about the roots, and does not pass freely
away, will end in disappointment. The
vines may grow vigorously and set full Oi
fruit, which invariably rot, and falls oil be
fore maturity II the decliyity is 80 steep
that the soil is liable to be washed away by
heavy ranp benches or terraces made with
sods or stones become indispensable. They
should be made with an inclination to the
hill, 50 as to conduct the water into main
drains running down hill at such distances
a. will sccurc.gOOd drainage.
Ny vines are planted IN rows six, and
some eight feet apart, and four feet apart il
row. The vineyard should be carefully
la. Ina. ,.,,.
placed where each one year old root shoulc
be planted in the fall, or the following spring
The young roots should be carefully plant
ed in slipping direction, spreading the root
lets naturally ike a tree, liIling in with tbs
best best ,a .s a44 tSay7Gi 7Gity y require no a.en
ton the first season, aud the space betwtd1
the rows may be cultivated the two f Fl
years with vegetables The surface should
be kept light and clean with the cultiy1tOi
or hoe In February cut the cane Of las
years growth close to the ground, l,ayiu.
only two or three eyes to grow. The see
ond season, rs they advance, break Oft tl'
weakest these canes, and all shoots on suck
crs that may spring up, Cultivate and keel
clean as last year. Ia the fall or before tn,
first Of March, all pruning should be per
formed. Cat the cane Of the second wear
growth down to two eyes, permitting oul!
two canes or vines TO grow This third a
SON. drive oak or cedar stakes six or scvci
feet long, firmly at each root; as the vine
grow, secure them to the stake with ~
straw or small willow ties, every twcnt,
inches. These canes will make rapid growtl
this season, aud lateral or axl'ary bra che
will bc put out from every eye, these later
I ais should be broken out with the thuml
when they are tender, aud before they hav
made much growth, as high aS ten or iilteet
joints. In the fall you have two equal,
| fine canes the growth Of the third season
/ from five to fifteen feet long. The uppc
| cane, which is intended for the bearin
/ bough, should be cut down in November. {
/ eight or ten eyes, and lowest cane should b,
cut down to spur Of two or three eyes -
Cuttings are made from these canes the
/ should have from four to five eyes, ca
smoothly and close to the lover eye or bud
and an inch above the upper eye The
strike best when planted out in the tall il
rick moist ground, in rows three feet apar
and six inches apart in the rows When th
buds swell in the spring Of the fourth year
. tAlN lplls 'iIl' ~ btlN Ohti W iDl III u bON U
hoop, the end Of this cane confined frml
with willow tics to its own stake. Som
wind this cane two or three times aroun
| the stake, tying at the top. The object c
/ this bow is to secure an equal flow of sap t
all parts Of the vine Secure the bow neat
| ly, where required, with willow ties to til
stake as it is to be loaded with fruit.
The interest now increases and more atten
ton is neces sary. From every eye Of tn
hoop or bow branch shoots forth, eac
containing two or three blossom cluster.
| These fruit branches should be broken o
three or four joints beyond the outside clus
ter, of grades, when they are the SIZE ofpg
con shot. The latoralS should be brohe
out. From the spur with two or three eye
two canes should grow, tying them 10 tn
stake as they advance, and breaking out tn
latcras beyond ten or twelve. Every fruit
less branch in the bow should be broke
Oft, and remember too, that every rose bu
should be destroyed, il not they soon bccom
legion and cat up the blossoms
The late irosts in May have for two Sc;
sons partially destroyed the crop when i
blossom. | think this can be prevented b
board six or more inches wide, nailed I
the top of each stake through the VINEYARD
the spur canes could also be trained alon
these boards otherwise they are liable TO /
broken off by high winds, and the fruit bud
for next year prematurely forced out. Tn
bearing cane or bow should be cut clean o
when the vines are pruncd in the fall. Is
this method the vines is annually rencwc
with young thrifty canes. Some imagir
Al. a ,.I