Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-09-05
A LOOK Ar THE GRAPE VINES.

The first thing one observes is the presence
of rot, spot and mildew, unusually prevalent
this season. They are are also very ftful in
their appearance, the old Catawba and Is
abella, usually the first to succumb to the
disease, in some cases being entirely free, in
in others badly affected. Some of the newer
sorts, claimed to be proof against mildew,
show unmistakable signs of it this season,
and tits usually noticed most prevalent near
est the ground an argument against the close
pruning which keeps the fruit near the sur
face. Now while we do not believe with the
ancients that the oaks and elms were in
tended to support the vine, we do think it
may be and often is too much curbed for its
healthy growth and the perfect maturity of
its fruit. Who that has not noticed how
much longer and stronger the canes grow
when trained upright, or allowed to ramble
among the branches of tree, than when
left uncared for upon the ground. And is
there not some relation between the strong.
vigorous growth and healthfulness of the
vineS We would by no means advocate
letting it run at will and make wood at the
expense of fruit, but moderate curbing in
or shortening will probably prove the best in
the long run.
There is an evident mistake in stripping
off the leaves to expose the clusters to the
sun. 1t is not necessary that the clusters
receive the direct rays of the sun all day
long-they often do better without them
while it is essential that the leaves, or lungs
ba l,o al aba
may he pinched off u foot or 12 inches be-
yond the cluster, but all leaves between that
point and the punches should be left
This young and thrifty vine has too muck
fruit on 1.-TWO clusters TO spur are quite
sufficient while many have three. When
the vine is young and growing, a single
cluster to the spur is enough-or three clus-
ters to two spurs may answer The superior
size of the remaining berries and clusters
will more than compensate for those removed,
to say nothing of the overtax TO the vine in
attempting to perfect so much fruit.
Whatever system of pruning is adopted,
adhere to that system as far as practicable,
and not, by neglect, leave the impression
that no system is used. In some cases the
production of wood to cover an arbor is de-
sirable in other cases, the superhuoua
growth must be checked, and the forces or
powers of the vine be directed to fruit. The
tendency of the growth on arbors or trellises
is to the top, leaving a naked bottom in the
course of few years. To prevent this,
either train up new shoots occasionally to
take the place of the old ones, or bend the
main shoots horizontally near the ground,
and train uprights from these arms, portion
OF them to be cut away each year.
Here is another error in allowing a sod to
grow close about the stem along this border.
| The nourisment and moisture which should
go to the roots of the vine are appropriated
by the grass, and the vine is languishing in
consequence. For the same reason growing
crops, especially those which make heavy
drafts upon the soil, should not be planted
close to the grapes. And in feeding the
roots, remember that they are no longer close
to the main stem, but have pushed in each
direction quite distance. Let the fertilizers
be applied there; keep the surface loose and
free Of weeds.