Nebraska advertiser., 1861-11-28
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PrOteCting GraDe Vines.

Our experience Nth grape vines since
in Nebraska, as TO winter killing them,
has not been very encouraging. We are
inclined to think, however, it is more
owing to the location of our garden, than
anything else. II is low, compared with
most others. While ours has generally
been cut down, neghbor, not stones
throw distant scarcely, who has a high
location, has had no trouble, leaving the
vines in the trellis during winter. The
experience of many is, that it pays TO lay
the vines in the ground during each win
ter. We extract the following from the
Discussions of the Fruis Growers Society
of Western New York, as published in
the Country Gentleman;
QUESTION 2.-Is it necessary or profitable to pro-
tect the hardy varieties of grapes during the winter
and if so, what is the best method of doing itP
B. Fish of Rochester, thought it would
pay the trouble to remove the vines from
the trellis and put them upon the ground
thought that would be sufficient.
H. N. Langworth of Greece-such por-
tions of his vines as were thrown down
from the trellis bore finely; such as were
on the trellis had no fruit-the spurs
were all destroyed.
c. Downing-I used always to grow
grapes as easily as apples-no difficulty
In killing by winter; but the past two or
three years they have had so much injury
that he thinks it best to take down all
vines and cover with an inch or two of
earth; thinks they will ripen earlier if
covered.
H. E. Hooker-I suppose it hardly
necessary to cover hardy grapes, but such
grapes we have he finds it bestto COW
er lightly with earth; thinks it most
profitable and not much trouble, He
finds, however, sometimes, that some of
the buds get killed by the wet; did not
find, however, that they ripened any ear
lier for being covered. When the vines
became older and sitter he thought 1t
would be difficult to do it.
Mr.. Hoag-The kinds he spoke of in
the forenoon we're unprotected, and the
wind had fair sweep through them; they
were not injured. Had noticed that
sometimes they were very much injured.
Mr. Camper of Pennsylvania, would
advise to bind, after pruning, with straw,
and leave upon the trellis.
H. N. Langworthy thought it too much
trouble to bind with straw. and would
therefore inquire what varieties we have
which would stand upon the trellis with
out protection!
Mr.. Moody, President, thought there
was no cultivated grape worthy of culti-
vation which would stand the winter uni
formly. Strawing was very good, but ii
was too much work. Thought the Diana,
Delaware, Concord and Hartford Prolific
were as hardy as any we have, but still
would recommend to cover them 10 make
sure thing.
Mr.. Camper of Pennsylvania, said in
Europe the practice was topull the stakes
IN TO which the vine was attached, throw
the vine upon the ground, and cover with
straw; sometimes, however, with nothing
but the stakes thrown upon the vines to
hold them down.
Mr.. Salter remarked that many varie.
ties of grapevines will stand the winter
without covering, because they ripen their
wood early and thoroughly. 1t is close
hard wood, grown early in the season
and ripened early. Such varieties as the
Logan, Delaware, Concord, Clinton,
Northern Muscadine. &C.. do this Such
varieties as Hartford Prolific, Isabella,
Diana, Catawba, &c., are of strong vig'
oroug habit, and have a tendency to grow
late in the season, and make large pithy
wood which rarely ripens early and well.
Those that rlpen thus imperfectly would
be often killed by our winters, whether
covered with earth or not. 1t is not the
mere covering, or the dirt with which we
cover, that rots the wood and buds always
Some varieties do not rlpen their wood OF
their buds as well as others; but if the
wood be perfectly ripe and the buds fully
ripe before covering, the mere covering
will not iniure them. The objection tC
straw for a covering IS that 1t harbor'
mice. The Logan grape is one of opl
best early grapes, and the vines are per
fectly hardy.
F. w. Lay had found all that was nee
essary was to take from trellis and LAY
upon the ground. Those so treated ripper
much earlier than others upon the trelhs
He thinks he could cover half an acre ;
day with earth-the labor is not very
much--they were 16 feet apart.
H. T. Brooks-A peighbor of his laid
part of his vines down; those so covered
suffered much more than those not GOV
cred; they seemed TO rot in the eyes.
F. w. Lay says neighbor OF his ha
his yinevard so arranged that he can la,
the whole trellis down without taking OF
the vines, which saved a great deal o