Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-26
Soil for Grapes : Experiments i'm

SOIL Tor Grapes = Experiments i'm
at Grape Outline.
A PAPER read before the horticultural
Congress at Manchester, England, gives
some interesting facts concerning the
proper soil for grape vines of different
sorts. When the vines were planted in
soil which contained an unusual proper
ton of Magnetism lime, they apparently
did well. The fruit promised to be fine
until it finished stoning, when it ceased to
swell, often decreased in size, shriveled,
and was deficient in saccharine matter
and aroma. Another border in the same
garden had soil from the old red sand
stone formation, entirely without lime,
and composed of Silica alumina, and
organic matter, formed from decayed
heritage. This vine produced fruit per
feet in every way, some of the berries
measuring four inches in circumference.
DR.. Nichols, in the November number
of the Boston Journal Of Chemistry,
thus states the result of his experiments
in grape culture:
''The present season has been quite a
favorable one for grapes in Eastern Mas
sachusetts, and we trust it has been gen
orally favorable throughout the grape
growing region of the country We have
frUited this year about thirty varieties,
embracing all those which have had any
special claims TO attention among grape
growers in this cold latitude. The growth,
quality and time of maturity and ripening
of each have been carefully noted, not
only this year, but for several years, and
we are now ready to declare our prefer
ences ard also give reasons for entertain
inc those we have. Out of the thirty va
rieties there are but ten which are worthy
of special attention from growers in this
locality. They are the Concord, Delaware,
Hartford, Prolific, Adirondack, Diana,
| Rebecca, Aliens Hybrid, Iona, Isabella
All but one of these have been perfectly
| ripened in our vineyard at Lakeside the
pesent autumn, and that is the Iona. This
grape will not do for Massachusetts. II is
too tender and too late, and, besides, it does
not ripen evenly. Upon each bunch few
| berries have ripened quite well, while the
remainder were entirely unfit for eating.
1t is evidently an excellent grape, beauti-
full in form, color, and in the grouping of
the berries upon the stem. Itappears to be
a good bearer, and the vine is nearly
as hardy as the Rebecca. The fruit when
ripe resembles the best foreign varieties.
We think this grape, when grown in the
Middle and Southern States, viii prove to
be a great favorite.
The best, the most delicious grape that
can be grown in the open air in this sec
ton, is the Delaware. We do not believe
that by any process of hybridizing, or by
growth from seed, a better grape will ever
be produced suited to Northern climates.
Indeed, do we need or want a better
grape? If we can grow this splendid
fruit in all its perfection here, let us &C
| cept the boon with thankfulness, and not
complain that we are unable to do better.
| The Delaware is first-Class grape; it is
sufficiently hardy, it is a generous and
constant bearer, it is'not liable to mildew,
it ripens well eight years out of ten, it is
a small grape, and the berries cling firmly
to the stem. These are certainly strong
recommendations, and before we cOnsign
SuCn IulJ 10 neglect OF IOFBeIIulneSs, let
US be sure we have a better one.
The Concord must long remain a
standard fruit for vineyard culture
1t is not as good as the Delaware,
but it is perfectly hardy, a good
bearer, thrives on weak silicious soils, and
does not fall from the stem. We are
thankful for the Concord. Bushel after
bushel of the fruit has disappeared III our
family during the present autumn, while
surrounded by an abundance of other and
more highly Wanted varieties.
The Adirondacksa and Islbellas are good
and early grapes. They are worthy the
attention of cultiyatoTs, if the vines are
sold at prices no higher than Delaware OF
COncOrds 1t is high time the receptions
| practiced by yine-Taisers and nurserymen
| ceased. The new varieties recommended
and sold at enormously high prices have
not, in most cases, proved as good as the
old varieties We advise our readers to
cling to our long-tried good grapes, and
| pay no attention to the statements of in
terested parties regarding new kinds,
which they offer at high prices. Fortunes
are made by spectators in vines, plants,
seeds, etc, while there is no improvement
found in the growth or quality of the
| plants or grains.