Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-10-14
AGRICULTURAL.
HOW TO PLANT GRAPEyENEs.

IN ulict grape CWtWiSt, WHICH was
referred in our columns when it first made
its appearance, are some good practical di.
rec'ions, which may he followed with the
best results These directions refer to field
planting, but they answer equally for the
setting out of single vines. Mr.. Fuller
possesses an enlarged experience in grape
growing, and is beside u respectable and
reliable man.
When a number Of vines are 20 be planted,
it is best to dig the holes before the vines
are taken into the Gcld and when they are
taken from the place where they have been
heclcd in, their roots should &c kept in a
box or basket filed with damp moss, or
protected in some manner from the air and
sun. The vines are also to be pruned be-
fore they arc taken into the field. prunc
the roots, as has already been directed, and
cut off the stems to about eighteen inches
The holes to receive the vines should be
dug IN circular form, and from six to ten
inches deep upon the outside, and four to
six inches IN the centre; then set a good
strong stake in the centre Of the hole, for
unless the stake is placed in pasition before
the vine is planted, there is great danger of
injuring some of the roots of the vine in
driving it down by its side after it is posi-
ton. Now set the vine in the centre of the
hole, close 10y the stake, spreading out the
roots in every direction, and then throw on
little soil as you proceed, to hold them in
position. When all the roots are properly
distributed then fill up the holes, pressing
down the soil with the foot-the weight of
a man will not be too much pressure to give
the soil over the roots. 1t requires two men
to work to advantage in planting, one to
place the vine in position and spread out
the roots, and another to put on the earth.
The roots should always descend little
from the stem to their farthest point, and
in pressing down the soil upon them, it
should be given the same pressure, as near
as may be, along their Whole length If
the vines are planted in the fall, then y
small mound of earth should be made
around the stem, so ns to protect two or
three buns above those that would DC cover
ed if the ground were made level. But
when the vines are planted in the spring,
the hole need not he filled quite full, but u
shallow basin may be left about the stem, so
that the rains shall more readily reach the
roots. This basin around the vine can be
filed when the vine gets well started in
growth.
-lttty management. When the buds be-
gin to push into the growth, select the
strongest and rub the others Off; bud near
the ground is preferable to one that is foot
above, and this one reason why the vines
should be cut Oft quite short when planted,
as it makes the lower buds more sure to
push. After the one bud or shoot has been
selected, the old stem above it may be cut
Oft to within two inches of the young shoot
AS the young cane grows, keep it tied Ia
the stake, but do not tie it 50 tightly as to
Interfere with its expansion rs it grows
Keep the latc,als stapped according to the
directions already given, Stir the soil
about the plants, tho oitcner the better, and
keep down all the weeds.
Bass is on excellent material for trying
the Whoa, as ii is not Liable to injure the
tender shoots /, besides, it usually costs less
than common twine.
When any particular vine, or q number
of them, do not grow as rapidly as desired,
they should receive some extra stimulant,
either liquid manure from the barnyard, or
solution Of some of the concentrated ma
nures in water, giving enough to completely
saturatG the soil to their roots When it is
not convenient to apply siimulants in a
liquid form. barrow load of compost may
DC spread upon the Surface about the vine.
We should endeavor to produce q uniform
growth, so that all the vines in each row,
at least, shall be as nearly of the same size
ms possible.
The vines at the end of the first season
will usually be large enough to be pruncd
for training, but many of the more feeble
growing varieties will require another year,
and they should be cut back in the fall or
winter to two or three buds, only one OF
which should be allowed to grow rs in the
first year.