Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-03-05
AGRICULTURAL.
CULTURE OF GRAPES.

The increasing Interest whichls being enlist
ed in behalf of the cultivation or hardy grapes
is of so enlarged and encouraging nature as TO
cause us TO lay before cur readers everything IN
the shape Of solid information promotive OF their
culture, which we deem of practical value, that
comes into our possession. The following hints
we find in the last issue OF the Genesee Farmer,
and We commend them general attention
Grape vines are raised IN several ways. The
most connon one is frou long cuttings, which
are made at the time of the toiata pruning, aud
consist of three eyes each, the bottom end OF
which is cut close to bud aud the upper end Is
left an iuch or two above the top of the bud.
These are nut into the open ground as soon
as the weather will permit in the spring, IN a
s'autlng position, with the upper bud an inch
above the ground, and BY autufhn these will
make fine rooted plants.
Plant the vine about as deep as it stood III
the nursery, taking care to spread out the roots,
aud carefully working the earth IN among
them.
Great care is required in taking Up the young
vine to save all the roots, they should never
be pruned At the time Of planting IT should
be cut back to within six eyes, whieh, as sf"
as they start, should all be rubbed Of b. 'ne
two strongest, and after these are tax2 s'0"
lug rub off the weaRest, leaving 9gS o;i
The summer pruning collsists1 - nesP
tend 70 check the rrow,t OF the man plant.
''"r ~, - 1 o"eGa "a Gould be pnched about
ne te..",.,4i DGf IRE aud strengthen it.
i.g'. l.e r. The shoot of last year may
.'o@ be eur back to four buds and two canes
trained up this season. Summer pruning 10 be
performed same at last season, and IN Septem
Der these cares arvsro be ateppea as BerUfe-
Third YeGr-1he canes of last seasou's
growth are cut back at the winter pruning which
fakes place in Lccemberl to within, two three
feet of their base, and laid in on the bottom
Stat of the trellis, for the frame work Of the
vine The bud on tue end OF each &il produce
shoot to continue the prolongment in horl-
zontal direction and bud on the upper side Of
each, near the base Of the horlzeua shoot, will
produce a cane, to be trained to orc of the up
right bars All other shoots are rubbed OFF.
These canes are tied as they require 1t. and
the Summer pruning continues the same rs be-
fore They are stopped il September as be-
fore
Fourth Year-At the winter pruning the
canes Of last Years growth are cut back, the
horizontal ones to two feet and the upright ones
to four feet.
The upright canes will continue their growth
upwards, ami the horizontal ones outwards,
B. fore, and this year two more shoots can be
trained upright for bearing wood next season.
The vine produces fruit on spurs of the pres
ent seasons growth, which start from eyes on
the upright canes. From one to three lunches
is sufficient to ripen on one spur, and soon after
the fruit is set the spur should be stopped aud
tied into the rellis, TO prevent breaking.
This year several fruit spurs will be produced
on the two canes of last seasons growth, on
each of which Two or three bunches of grapes
may be ripened.
In this way the viue adds every year two new
upright canes until the trellis is filled. The af-
ter management being to attend TO sumDler pruu-
ing, OF to cut back all the spurs to the old wood
at the winter pruning, new ones OF walch are
made every year.
The trellis need not be made until the Sec
ond year, if preferred, by keeping the canes lied
on to poles. Many may think this plan OF cul-
tivating grapes very laborious and expensive
one; but there are none more satisfactory, as
the fruit is of superior size aud flavor and will
come into full bearing quicker than those al
lowed to ramble everywhere, and be pruned
once IN two or three years, cutting them ais o
pieces at once, as often practiced.
Grapes for vineyard culture should be planted
on dry, rich soil, which should have thorough
subsoiliug, liberal manuring and southern as
pect. The vines should be planted about six
feet apart and trained to posts from eight to ten
feet high.
The vines are planted rs before recommends
ed, and for the first year or two should be cut
back close, to establish good, strong plants, and
only one cane be allowed to grow. The third
wear this cane can be allowed to ripen some
fruit, and new shoot carried up to bear next
year.
At the winter pruning the cane that bore is
cut away, and then a succession is kept up
As the vines grow older two or three bearing
canes can be taken from each plant.
j. FL. B.
Il n