The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1866-03-29
VOL. ID:
Grape Culture.

80 Grape Culture.
The Legislative Farmers Club holds
its weekly meetings, at Des Moines, and
its members promuigate some good ideas.
On the evening of the 9th inst. the SUBJ
ject of Grape Culture was under consid-
Grafton, and Mr.. Garrett, of Davis coun-
ty, made the following remarks:
I believe grapes can be grown success
fully on our level prairie, provided it can
be properly drained. The general law
seems to be, that grapes will do well in
no soil which is constantly wet ;-a COM
paratiuely dry or accH drained soil being
necessary to success IN grape culture. /
have been trying for the last ten years to
raise grapes on high, open prairie, in
the southeastern part of the State, and
with very discouraging results at first,
from the ignorance of the wants of the
vine, and of proper methods of planting,
cultivation and training. I depended
upon the instructions of nurserymen
from whom the vines were purchased,
and who Ut that time were almost as ig-
norant as myself. first dug holes two
feet or more in diameter and twenty
inches to two feet deep, filled up with
bones, manure and soil, and planted the
vines in the center. This was good re-
ceptacle for water, and for some time
after each heavy rain, these excavations
were filled with moisture, and the roots
Of the vines were well soaked in stagnant
water. The result was a failure. This
method may, and probably does answer
in some soils, but will not in any which
retains water. I afterwards dug trench
es about two feet deep and two and half
wide, so constructing them as to secure
thorough draining, then filed up with
pulverized soils, we'll rotted manure, and
surface soil, raising the soil in the tren-
ches several inches above the level of
the ground ON either side. I should
probably say that also mixed some rot
ten sawdust with the soik in the trench
es. Planted the vines eight feet apart
in the trenchcs-allowed only one cane
to grow the first year, trained up and
kept tied to stake. These vines made a
very satisfactory growth, equaling in
one season the three or four years
growth Of those planted by the former
method; large number of them grow
ing from twelve to fifteen feet high the
first season. Cut those vines down in
the fall to within twelve or fourteen
inches of the ground, and covered with
earth for protection through the winter
think loose earth superior to anything
else for this purpose. The next year, al
lowed two canes to grow. This, the sec
ond year from planting, these vines,
with very few exceptions, bore fruit,
some maturing large and beautiful clus-
tcrs, some bearing five punches to the
cane instead of three, the usual number.
The two canes of this year were trim
med in the Fall to about four feet in
length and made the arms of the vine
for trellis training. / believe this sys-
tenn oftraining, for garden culture, to be
the simplest, most convenient, bestadap-
ted to the known laws of growth Of the
vine, capable of yielding the most salts
factory results, and in all respects the
best method. I have no experience in
vineyard culture. 81 DE-.
Now, a few words as to varieties. l
have about 20 varieties in cultivation
fourteen or fifteen of which are bearing
Have growing the Delaware, Diana,
Iona, Concord, Creveling, Clinton, Al
lens Hybrid, Israella, Maxatawney, Re
becca, Hartford Prolific, Anna, Union
Village, Elsinburg, To-Kalon, Rogers
Hybrid (No. 19), Herbemont, Lincoln,
eand some others. #a "eeEf
Permit me to state my opinion, briefly
as possible, as to the value of some of
these varieties. The Israella has not
borne fruit in my grounds, hence Iknow
nothing personally of the quality of its
fruit. It is good grower, healthy, and
natures its wood we'll.
The Ucrbcmont and Lincoln have not
fruited yet, are good growers, especially
the former but they grow too late, do
not ipen their wood well, and are too
tender to be valuable for cultivation in
this latitude-the fruit buds Of the Her
bemont being killed in the Fall before
the usual time of taking down vines fol
winter protection.
Rogers Hybrid has not yet borne frui,
on my grounds. 1t is a thrifty grower
and natures its wood in good season.
The Anna, white grape, is an excel
lent grower, healthy and vigorous, ri
pens its wood early, and natures its crol
-of fruit in good season, although 1t il
said it rarely does SO III the East. TIL,
fruit is of good quality.
The Elsinburg is hardy little blacl
grape, but the fruit, although of fai
uuality. is too small to be valuable.