The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-12-12
Aqritmltural Golunlrr.
Cultivation of the Grape.

AuS AoA'0"AASo VA 'A1' S"uJSSS 10 eoACu
from the New York Tri6une's report
Of the proceedings Of the American In
stitute Farmers Club:
Mr.. Mead gave lengthy discourse
upon the cultivation Of the vine, illus
trated by drawings upon the blackboard,
which, although interesting to all pres
ent, is not reportable. Besides, the
whole Of the information given may be
obtained by any one who will send six
cents for postage on DR.. Grants cata-
logues. Direct to GO Iona, near Peeks
kill, New York."
In relation to planting and success in
the culture of the vine, Mr.. Mead said
that if good vine is properly set in a
well-prepared soil there is no mystery
about growing grapes in perfection al
most Immediately. A layer vine will
produce fruit the first season, if requir-
ed, in small quantities but he prefers
to plant one-year old vines grown in
pots, and wait the proper time for fruit,
which they will produce continually, as
long as they are regularly pruned. lie
lays great stress upon having the soil
most thoroughly pulverized and enrich
ed the year before the vines are planted,
for if vine is set in poor soil, it is
constantly struggling for life enough to
send out roots in search Of food in some
spot beyond its immediate locality. 1t
is, therefore, important to have its food
near home, and to create as many feed
ing roots as possible at the immediate
base Of the stalk. Some vines, when
sent out from the nurseryman, have
long struggling roots, with a few fbres
at the extremities. Such plants should
always be avoided, no matter how long
the main roots and upright cane, as
they will not make healthy growth.
The smallest single-eye plant, with a
large mass Of fine roots, is far prefera-
bic. In setting such plant, shake out
and straighten the roots, and place the
hand under the bottom so as to set
them down carefully upon the prepared
spot. holding the hand in the same posi-
ton till an assistant Sits in some fine
composted soil, which you will work in
with the other hand SO as to have every
root in its proper position, and careful
ly covered. Fill in this fine soil four
inches deep, and above that any good,
rich, fine surface soil will answer. In
light soil the bottom Of the hole, when
ready to set the vine, should be six in
ches below the general surface. In
heavy soils, four inches. In preparing
tho bottom Of the hole, make it convex,
as that form fits the shape of the roots
Of vine grown in pot. A layer vine
requires different shaped hole. The
greatest care must be used that no va
cancy be left among the roots, and that
no putrescent manure comes in contact
with them. Manure may be put on the
surface after the vines are we'll estab-
lished, but if the soil is all right very
little will be needed. 1t will be observ-
ed that the roots of a well-grown plant,
started in pot, all spread out equally
from the stalk, while those from a lay
er tend all one way, requiring differ
ent shaped hole, and sometimes good
deal Of skill and judgment is required
to root prune layer, so as to have
full supply Of fbrous roots near the
stalk. Flbrous roots at the extremity
Of long, branching root are of no val
ue and must be cut back. If, as is
sometimes the case, all the fbrous roots
are at the extremity Of long stray
Cling root, the plant is nearly worthless.
1t is sometimes necessary to carry
layer from growing vine, to be trained
upright several feet from the main root.
| would, said Mr.. Mead, take at least
three years to layer a vine four feet,
putting it down about eighteen inches
the first year, where it would establish
q new stock Of roots. The second year
put it under the soil eighteen inches
more, and new roots would again form.
The next year lay it down to its place,
and train it for its permanent upright.
A long vine would not grow roots the
whole distance, if put down at once.
In answer to the question, he said he
would never let one-year old vine bear
fruit. 1t must be cut away to allow the
roots to get strength.
Mr.. Fuller remarked that people have
much yet to learn about the principles
of vine culture. For instance, man
said to me yesterday, I do not want nv
vine cut away want it to extend SO
aSto bear q thousand punches. Is this
policy? 1t may be done, but such a