Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1870-03-18
Farmers Column.
ESSAY on small Fruit
(Esy II. II. Spcer.)
CRATES.

CRATES.
The grape Is one of the most valu
able of the small fruits. But 81
much has been said and written or
Varieties, modes Of culture, pruning,
etc: that people generally have beer
lead to believe that more than or
binary skill, patience and labor II
necessary, to grow grapes success
fully. ny observing few simple
rules, every farmer could have grapes
that would cost him but little more
per bushel than potatoes. All at
tempts at growing European varie-
ties Except under glass have failed;
And i'm fact nearly all American va
rieties of the grape have plants, and
are adapted only to certain sections
of the country. Some are too tender
or late in ripening their fruit in our
latitude--while others are subject to
rot or mildew. The Concord and
Delaware have given better satisfac-
ton than any other varieties that
have been thoroughly tested in Iowa.
Vines do best on land that inclines
10 the south. The best soil Is one that
fs adapted to wheat growing and
should be thoroughly drained. A
very sandy soil Is not suitable for
grapes in our climate. Before plant.
ing vines ; plow the ground ten or
twelve inches deep. The cheapest,
permanent trellis is one made OF
good posts and fence wire. Bread
boards should he fastened on top of
the posts to protect the vines from
rains. dews and frost. The new
wood formed during the summer, ia
the wood that will bear fruit the Ell
suing year. Before the ground
freezes i'm autumn, cut back such la
teral branches as you may select for
bearing fruit next season, to within
two or three buds of the main vine
All other side branches should be re-
moved entirely. When the vine be-
comes large enough to bear q good
crop Of fruit, it should be cut off at
pruning time, from two to four feet
beyond the point where it was cut
the previous year. Then cover it to
the depth of one foot with earth.
The maturing of very heavy crop
of fruit will seriously injure the vine.
The poorest clusters should be re-
moved when less than half grown.
Each year the lateral branches that
have borne fruit should be extended
two or three buds for the purpose Of
retaining wood that will bear fruit
the next year. Before the lateral
branches become too much extended
to be easily covered i'm the fall, two
young vines should be grown from
the base of the old stock, which
should be removed when the young
vines become large enough to bear.
When ground becomes too poor to
make a good, healthy growth Of
vines; enrich it with ashes oil
thoroughly rotted manure. But lit
tie, If any summer pruning is neces-
Rary. Concord vines should be plant
ed at least twelve feet apart in the
rows, and eight feet between rows
Delaware vines will do well wheI
planted at less distance. A belt o
timber or high board fence shoult
surround grape yards as q protection
from winds.
CCRRANTs.
Currant bushes should be planted
on richer, moist soil, that has beer
well drained and plowed or spade'
deeply. The Victoria and Whit
grape are the best varieties. Tn
ground should be muIched to tn
depth of three or four inches eacI
spling between the bushes wit
straw or refuse hay. After a currau
bush has produced two or three g0ot
crops the berries will grow less from
gear to year. IL Is best to let tire
or four vigorous shoots grow up from
the root each year to bear fruit whei
1t shall become necessary to cut tin
old bush away, The Game chicken
is the best remedy for the curran
worms.
The Houghton Seeding gooseberr,
Is the best variety for our climate
II should be planted, pruned mulch
ed and cared for in the same manne