Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-09-23

A Look at the Grape Vines.

The first thing one observes is the
presence of rot, spot, and mildew, unu-
sually prevalent this season. They are
also very fitful in their appearance, the
old Catawba and Isabella, usually the
first to succumb to disease, in some
cases being entirely free, in others bad
" affected. Some of the newer sorts,
claimed to be proof against mildew,
show unmistakeable signs of it this sea-
son, and it is usually noticed most prev
alent nearest the ground, an argument
against the close pruning, which keeps
the fruit near the surface. Now, while
we do not believe with the ancients that
the oaks and elms were intended to
support the vine, we do think 1T may
be and often is too much curbed for its
healthy growth and the perfect MATURE
ty of its fruit Who that has not not
iced how much longer and stronger the
canes grow when trained upright, or
allowed to ramble among the branches
of n tree. than when left uncared for
upon the ground. And is there not
some relation between the strong, Wig
oro,s and healthfulness of the vine :?
We would by no means advocate letting
IL run at will and make wood at the
expense of fruit, but a moderate curb
ing In or shortening will probably prove
the best in the long run.
There is an evident mistake In strip
ping off the leaves to expose the clus-
tiers 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, near the
lunches. be preserved. The shoot may
be pinched off foot or eighteen inches
beyond the cluster, but all leaves be-
tween that point and the lunches should
be left.
This young and thrifty vine has too
much fruit on 1.-TWO clusters to spur
are sufficient, while many of these have
three. When the vine is young and
growing, a single cluster to the spur is
sufiicient-or three clusters to two
spnrs NAV answer. The superior size
Of the remaining berries and clusters
will more than compensate for those re-
moved, say nothing of the over-tax OF
the vine in attempting to perfect so
much fruit.
. Whatever system of prunin is adopt
ed, adhere to that system as tar as prac-
ticahle, and not, by neglect, leave the
impression that no system is used. In
some cases the production of wood to
cover an arbor is desirable, in other
cases, the superfiuOus growth must be
checked, and the force or power OF the
vine must be directed to fruit. The
tendency of the growth on arbors or
trelisses is to the top, leaving 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 horizon
tally near the ground, and train up
rights from these arms, portion OF
these to be cut away each year.
Here is another error in allowing
sod to grow close about the stem along
this border. The nourishment and
moisture which should go to the roots
of the vine are appropriated to the grass,
and the vine is languishing III conse-
quence. 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
a distance. Let the fertilizer be applied
there; keep the surface loose and free of
weeds