Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-09-23
s
. THIRD PRUNING.

,moyesall branches or canes, save the etwo strong
est of these, cut the highest: about eighteen
inches long, and the other about three inches
the longest is intended for fruit the latter which
is called !" spur, is to make wood for next year.
Towards spring, bend this long branch horizon
tally and tasten the end of it strongly toa short
stake, placed at sufficient distance. In the
West this cane is made to form complete circle
by fastening the end OF it tothe footot the vine;
this isscalled arching." The objectof arching
is to moderate and regulate the flow Of the sap,
in order that it may fill all theeyes on The cane,
for if the cane were left perpendicular, the sap
would pass the lowest eyes, and rush upwards
into the top. But, in my opinion, arching over
does the business, and the sap, whose tendency
! is always upwards, will most generally stop at
the eyes on the upper part of the arch, and de-
l'velope them strongly; and those below wilt put
out very weakly, or not at all. While, when the
cane is laid horizontally, they all get their share
much more equally divided. The vine should
also be strongly fastened to the large stake All
Who plant vines must plant out Osisr Willow,
whose twigs are superior to any others for tying,
although have made use of the young twigs of
Black Gum, or of the Wild Willow, and of the
bark Of young Hickory.
During this summer, the vines will throw out
/ St1OA5 NluoL NC AttotOhSe " 't4S
stakes as they grow, until they reach the top,
when they may be left to hang over. Plow and
hoe as usual; plow deep in winter and in sum-
mer make use of scraper. After this, the
winter pruning is always, more or less, repcti-
ton of this last; one spur, and one or two bear
ing canes, according to the strength of the vine
IN pruning let the cut be clean and close, leav-
ing no small! cnds of dead wood, which will
surely injure the old stem. Among old vines,
a smaltoothed butchersaw will greatly assist
the operation.
I do not approve of summer pruning vines
and fruit require all the shelter they can muster
to preserve them from our burning sun. Persons
engaged in the grape culture should not lose
sight OF pruning; it is to moderate and equalze
the production Of fruit, thereby improving its
quality, and sparing the health and life Of the
vine. We are often told that this or that person
has q vine which is never pruned, climbs to the
summit Of high trees, bears abun'antly, IS very
old, etc. 4 single vine is very different from
twelve hundred to the acre!-and in many parts
i Of Italy, where they have adopted the tree cul'
turc, the quality of the wine, which formerly
ranked higa, has completely been destroyed: /
never wish to see my vines average more than
from twelve to fifteen punches each. Quality is
better than quantity.
The Catawba seems to have usurped the most
{ prominent place among the natives. At the
West it is by far the greatest avorte; perhaps,
there others do not succeed as well. At the
South, most persons are following i'll the wake
{ OF our Western brethren, and have taken 1t tol
granted that none others are worth cultivating
and condemn without q trial, or even without
knowing them. The Catawba is certainly q
beautiful looking grape, and great bearer; but
its houied and wild musky flavor. which is un
fortunately too strongly retained in the wine is
q very serious objection for palate accustomed
to more delicate fruit or beverage. The 90
quet,n or perfume, OF wine is Il precious quality
but this has too much of the good thng"
i Foreign grapes must be discarded ior wine
: making. After fair trial, we, like many others
have come to the conclusion that they cannot
stand our climate.
Of all the natives that have come within my
reach, give decided preference to the Warre1
!. and the Isabella both great bearers, but, like
the Catawba, subject to the rot. The former
makes a delicate wine Of the color of Madeira
' but not so strong; the latter, q light beautfu
:. /, also, like what we here Gull the burgundy anc
Black July, (both Snlisnamcd, )-thc first being
the+best table grape we have in this country, anc
making a delightful Madeira colored wine; the
, Black Ju!ymakcs q very dark, rich, red wine
not unlike Port. These two vines are not grea'
bearers, but their iSqt does not Not ii,:@f s
| ~, .aKlSs w1SE.
: NY process ior mailing wine is distrent frou
that followed in the West and in Georgia. Tho
grapes being gathered, and all unsound or greer
berries removed, they are thrown into large tnbs
OR half barrels aud thoroughly crushed with th'
hand the contents are then erapted into large
watts, (hogshcads,) which are filed to ,wthir
fourteen inches OF the top; cover these Wit!
homespun aud boards, 10 keep out gnats ant
flies In q very short time fermentation com
mences he mass swclls and rises 10 the top
and should be pressed down, with q woodcn pad
I die, two or three times per day. The next morn
, ing the clear juice is drawn from tascet neal
the bottom, end poured into a barrel when III
: more juice comes out, the mass in the vat j
then carried to the press and what liquid remain:
in it is squeezed out; this is usually vcry thick
aud is put into another barrel, as it is Of i;rro
quality. BE sure that your barrels arc allied Il
witii;n three inches OF the bHny less than lha
I would leave too much .. III contact with iht
wine. ard would cause it 10 sour; more thai!
+ that would cause 1t 10 o;er:io"; in tic icrr!2nta
3 ton which ::Jr ew. Aay; will be very brisk
when this hl8 subsidized, FL The barrels 10 or,
+ inch Of the bung, With wine reserved for lbs,
purpose and close tho buaGs tightly. 81, rarj
careful that the barrel t;;ia. waits, &C., hc ;:
perfectly clean and sw"c!, ihc slightest Srsre,
I OF unclcaiiess would hs fatal to the vino
, There uoiS remains E1!ME% IL GJ until tht
next winter, when ,l.a mGe is G.;:wh ;o J;hcI
barrels III ot,iar to yiar:fi ii. The dati Gite. is
allowed 10 terine! ~ ;.'r SKINS :.i..,.r i:yt
t days, in Order to c:.:ra" -! Il 'ur; : !l"!