Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-10-15
GRAPES AND GRAPE CULTURE.

In reference to the best varieties of grape
for the South generally, we have little to add
to the numerous notes on that subject, but
would refer the reader particularly to an arti-
Gle headed Good Grapes for the South in the
Rural Carolinian for October, 1873, in which
five or six desirable and we'll tested kinds are
described, and several others mentioned as
promising. Among the former are Concord,
Hartford Prolific, Delaware, Ives Seeding,
Norton's Virginia and Clinton (the two last
only for wine) and among the latter, Walter,
Maxatawny and Perkins, A vine or two Of
the Scuppernong should always be put in,
whatever other varieties are planted, and if
wine is to be made, it may perhaps be planted
largely, with profit. AS a table grape it is
not saleable, 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 naturally be planted near the house, and
little choice will be afforded in the selection of
soil and situation, There are few places, it
for human habitation, where the grape vine,
properly planted and cared for, will not grow
and produce regular and satisfactory crops.
In case vineyard is to be established, fore
thought and judgment should be exercised in
its location. A good loan is probably the
best soil, and if calcareous, so much the bet
ter but almost any sandy pine land of good
quality will produce fine crops Of grapes 1t
must have good drainage, either natural or
artificial, as stagnant water Is death to grape
vines. In hilly or rolling country gently
sloping hillside, with an eastern, southern or
southwestern exposures desirable. The land
should, if possible, be free from stumps and
other distractions, and in such condition of
fertility as would produce good crop of corn
or cotton, without further manuring
Supposing the ground to be in the condition
in which it was left by previous heavily ma
nured crop, the first step in the work of prep
aration is to break it up thoroughly as for
wheat. Subsoiling will be of great benefit on
some soils, but where the subsol is loose and
we'll drained it is not necessary. After break
ing up the land, lay it off in checks eight feet
each way. We give this as good average
distance, for the different varieties. For the
strong growing kinds, like the Concord and
the Clinton, ten 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 horizontalized by running around it..
At each intersection of the burrows, set sta Ike
five or six feet in length. Around each stake
dig the hole for the vine, either with shov-
ell or with hoe, as may be found most expe-
ditious. 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 the bottom OF
each hole would be beneficial, but is not essen-
tial, provided the soil be in the condition we
have indicated. If, however, the subsoil has
been laid bare in digging the hole, some OF
the good surface soil thrown out must be re-
turned before the vine is placed in position:
The vine 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 surface of the ground The roots
must now be spread out evenly, on all sides,
and the soil carefully filled in over and around
them, scattering in at the same time, so as to
be we'll mixed throughout, a liberal allowance
(say q quart or more to each vine) OF bone
meal or crushed bones, and the work OF plant
ing is done. :,
It is a very important matter to get good
well-rooted vines. They should be thrifty
one year old vines, of uniform size. AVOID
as a general rule, the "extra large, two year
old vines, for immediate bearing" advertised
by the nurserymen. Nothing is gained in The
end by getting such vines, and they are gen
orally sold at double price.
Ina future article, We purpose to give some
practical instructions in the cultivation of
vineyard and the pruning and training of the
vines-Raral Carolinian for October.