The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1874-10-17
Texas Farm and Home, for October
Grapes Ia Texas.
BY A. nuRR, on DALLAS NURSERIES,.

BY A. nuRR, or DALLAS NURSERIES,.
In my article on pears, forgot to
say that fruits of all kinds are from
one to three weeks later than usual.
Wintry weather continued almost into
summer, and drouth set in very early
and lasted till September Sth, 80 that
fruits are not only backward but small
in size.
This last remark, however, does not
apply to the grape, for it is larger and
healthier than last season. IT. seems
to enjoy dry weather. This fact should
encourage our people in the western
counties to plant largely of the vine.
All the failures that have occurred
have resulted either from growing the
wrong varieties, or from planting in
unsuitable soil. The climate is not at
fault. In this vicinity we have met
with vines from the north, east, west,
sOuth, California and Europe. Now to
suppose that all these will suit our eli
mate equally well is simply prepos-
ferrous.
1t is the object of these articles to
give only the experience ami ohserva-
ton of the writer, and IL is hoped that
Others who have any facts in relation
to fruit culture will give them to the
public also. Already, enough varieties
of fruits have been tested in Texas to
enable our people to select such kinds
as are adapted to the climate. But
| these experiments are not generally
| known, and the great mass OF our citl-
zeiis are being yearly deluded 10y these
pe,ldlers and nursery agents. And
| then our new settlers have their pre-
conceived opinions. The man from
Indiana can imagine no fruit so good
| as the kind with which he has been
very familiar. The New Yorker has
his favoritpS, and the European still
clings to his associates. The fact that
the south has a climate peculiar to her.
self, and that she has long and CON-
plete list of fruits well adapted to her
/ climate, seems Ia be altogether ignored
( by many of our newer citizens.
The most vigorous, healthy and pro-
ductive grape we have are of the small
berried class, originating from the
.Estivalis, or summer grape. or these
the Clinton is'inore largely grown than
any other, growing rampantly and
bearing heavily, but is too acid for a
secund class table grape. Here we alsu
found q few Warren vines, growing
as healthily aud vigorously Us a mus
tang. ana full of fruit. The berries
are "bags of wine" free from pulp,
and fine Tor table use. II ripefs rather
late. In Gonzalrs, Victoria and Chi
houn-in sandy soil, in loam, aud l'lack
prairies--thr writer has secn IL, and
Everywhere doing we'll Ross ~ Bro.
think il the best grape they have iiied.
The Black Iuly il of the same haiiit ol
growth and finely favored, earlier IN
ripening, lait not so productive When
Young. Rui,soB's Seeding Is the ear
liest gIape of this family, vigorous snt
productive, and The fruit - Ninous
sweet and very good. II j. quite Z
favorite in Gonzales county; originated
with Colonel Robson, of Columbus
Texas.
The Black Spanish Is highly appre
ciated in San Antonio. The fruit, j
gathered soon after cOlOring, is quite
acid. but give it time and it becomes
excellent. For vigOr, health and pro
ductiveness IL is unexcelled.
The large berried varieties belong Il
Northern Fox grape nLabraseal family
The fruit Is large aud snowy, and con
sequently sells Mt higher prices thai
the foregoing, but j. Of no better flavor
and not as productive. They are NOR
J particular In regard 10 soil, are NOR