The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-07-14
The Grape Crop.

The Grape Crop.
The grape crop in the " Pocket" thissea-
son, so far as we have been able to learn
from personal observation and from the re-
ports of grape raisers, and persons who have
travelled through different parts of the coun-
try, promise well. The crop is very full,
and until few days ago, very free from dis
ease or defect. Within week or two some
symptoms of the grape rot have appeared,
occasioned, doubtless, by the sudden change
in the weather about the Fourth OF July
This disease at first threatened to prove seri-
Gus to the vineyards but has not, as yet,
done very great amount of damage. The
vines in the gardens through the city here
and almost every house in the suburbs has
more or less-are very full and the grapes
are maturing in fine large clusters, and look
altogether clean and healthy. Should no
more rot, blight or mildew visit the vine
yards in this region, the amount Of native
wine produced will be very considerable.
A communication from Mr.. Philip Deck
er, which appeared yesterday morning in
the Folksbote, states that the wine growers
association held an extra meeting on last
Sunday in Deckers vineyard, which was
numerously attended by the most expert
enced wine growers in the vicinity, for the
purpose of discussing from the natural eI-
perience and knowledge Of all in the yari-
Gus modes of culture, the cause of the dis
ease to which the grape is liable in this
country, but which in Europe are almost
entirely unknown. The condition, or at
least the appearance of this vineyard was
found, upon inspection, to be highly fiatter-
ing. The grape rot, which had threatened
to destroy the ardent hopes of the cultiya-
tor, seemed much less dangerous than was
1T first supposed.
Mr.. Decker, who at first had fears that he
would lose half his crop, thought he would
not lose at the highest, over one fourth, by
the late attack Of the rot. II was cheering
to find that this pest which made such rapid
strides on its attack, was now at q stand
still
The association, after thorough discus
sioE of the probable cause of this most
dreaded enemy Of the grape, the rot, gave
It a. their opinion, that the chief producing
cause is to be looked for in the sudden at
mospheric changes to which the climate OF
this continent When compared with Europe,
is subject.
The present disease was doubtless caused
by the sudden cold spell about the first Of
this month, aud the subsequent hot sum-
Those grapes growing lowest On the
vines and nesr the ground were most in.
jnred, although the uppermost clusters die
not altogether escape.
We have but just commenced the crap,
culture here in earnest, aud if we should
tail to readily discover the causes, habits
proper treatment, and most effective rene
dies for these diseases, so as to combat then
as successfully as in the old world where
they have the benefit of hundred year!
experience, we should not become discour
aged. II is a matter of interest to all Il
note the influences of light and warmth
as well as the peculiarities of the soil tend
ing to throw light on the subject and repor
the results of their observations Mt the mex
meeting, to the end that the association ma.
be compensated for its laborious investiga
tons as we'll as that the country may b
profted by the general good; and all thos
interested in the subject of the grape eul
ture are invited to attend the next meeting
of the association, on Sunday, the oath O
July, at the residence of John Bump, on hi
farm in German township at which tim
and place the subject will be further dis
cussed.