The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-10-23
GRAPES AND GRAPE CULTURB.
The Approved Varieties for the Smith
and How 90 Grow Them.

GRAPES AND GRAPE CULTURE.
The Approved Varieties for the Smith.
and How 30 Grow Them.
In reference to the best varieties of
the grape for the south generally. we
have little to add to the numerous notes
on that subject, which we have pub
lished during the past year, but would
refer the reader particularly TO an ar
ticle headed Good Grapes for the
South, % in the Rural Carolinian for Oc-
tober, 1873, in which five or six desir-
able and well-tested kinds are described,
and several others mentioned as promis-
ing. Among the former are the Con
cord, Hartford Prolific, Delaware, Ives
Seeding, Norton's Virginia and Gin
ton (the two last only for wine), and
among the latter, Walter, Maxatawny
and Perkins. A vine or two of the
Scupperneng should always be put in,
whatever other varieties are planted,
and If wine is to be made, it may per-
haps be planted largely, with profit. As
a table grape, it is not salable, except in
small way IN our local markets.
Where only few vines are to be
planted, simply to produce fruit for
family use, they will be naturally plan
ted near the house, and little choice
viii be afforded In the selection of
soil and situation but there are few
places fit for human habitation where
the grave-vine, properly planted and
cared for, will not grow and produce
regular and satisfactory crops.
In case a vineyard is to be established,
forethought and Judgment should be
exercised in its location. a good loan
is probably the best soil, and if calcer-'
GUS, so much the better but almost any
sandy pine land of good quality will
produce fine crops of grapes. It must
have good drainage, either natural or
artificial, as stagnant water is death to
grape-Vines. In a billy or rolling coun-
try gently slopirg hillside, with an
eastern, southern or southwestern ex-
posure is desirable. The land should,
if possible, be free from stumps and
other distractions, and in such con-
dition of fertility as would procure a
good crop of corn or cotton without
further manuring.
Surprising the ground to be in the
condition In which it was left by pre-
vious heavily MANFRED crop, the first
step In the work of preparation is to
break it up thoroughly as for wheat.
Subsoiling will be of great benefit to
some soils, but where the subsoil is
loose and well grained it is not neces-
s; ry. After breaking up the land, lay
it off into cheeks eight feet each way.
We give this as a good average distance,
for the different varieties. For the
strong growing kinds, like the Concord
and the Clinton, t n feet might possibly
be better, and for the Delaware six feet
would do very we'll. IF the location is
hillside, the rows should be horizon
talized by running around it. At each
intersection of the burrows, set stake
five or six feet in length. Around each
stake dig the hole for the vine, either
with q shovel or with hoe, as may be
found most expeditions. Holes from
ten inches to one foot in depth, and
from two to three feet in diameter are
sufficient. A good shovelful of surface
soil from the woods, thrown into each
hole, would be beneficial, but is not
essential, provided the soil be in the
condition we have indicated. If, how
ever, the subsoil has been laid bare in
digging the hole, some of the good sur
face soil thrown out must be returned
before placing the vine in position
The vines should be pruned to three
buds, and the roots clipped, if too long,
and placed in the hole so that the top
/ will lean against or be near the stake,
and but slightly above the general sur
face OF the ground. The roots must
nov be spread out evenly, on all sides,
and the soil gracefully filed in over and
around them, scattering in at the same
time, so rs to be we'll mixed throughout,
a liberal allowance (ssy a quart or more
! to each vine) OF bone meal or crushed
bones, and the work Of planting is done.
1t is a very important matter to get
/ good, well-rooted vines. They should
/ be thrifty one year old vines, of uniform
ira large, two year old vines, for imme-
date bearing" advertised by nursery
men. Nothing is gained in the end by
! getting such vines, and they are gener-
/ allv sold at a dOuble T1yice