The Portland daily press., 1875-01-25
The Clinton Grape.

II is the opinion of some that there are two
kinds of the Clinton grape, the one seed
ling of the other-the seeding having double
or shouldered clusters. The writer has been
of opinion that there is but one kind, the diff
ference referred to resulting from cultivation.
He was led to this by somewhat extensive
and careful cultivation of this sort. One vine,
grown untouched for many years in tree,
acted very much like a wild grape-perfectly
hardy, prolific, with small clusters, berries
scattered and ripening unevenly and late,
with little or no shoulder. Being unacquain-
ted with it, you wuold say, upon viewing and
tasting it, that it was wild grape of the best
sort, though the writer has seen better.
Another vine which has received thorough
cultivation and care, is so different from the
other, that it seems another grape. 1t is so
prolific that more than half the punches
have be removed, and about half of the ber-
ries taken from each bunch, on account OF
the crowding, the cluster being ruined if this
is not done. Almost every cluster is double,
not shouldered, but forked, producing one
large and one smaller cluster, the latter from
a quarter to halt the size OF the other, and
sometimes nearly equaling it.
Now, these two vines are grown from wood
of the same old stock; hence the difference is
owing to treatment. The.fruit of the vine in
the tree is harsh and rather sour to the taste.
Weeter, with less OF the wild, foxy taste, a
pronounced spicy flavor, and strong teuity
relish. 1t is the farthest removed from the
insipidity so common in other sorts held in
high estimation. But the Clinton must not
only be ripened, but it must be rpened un-
der abundant heat, at the maturing period.
Then it will be sweet, ard its better qualities
will be developed, and then only in connec-
ton with high and careful culture.
The writer has given the Clinton almost all
kinds of cultivation and treatment, and it ad-
justs itself readily to the directing hand. The
best success, and that decidedly, has been
realized where the ground was well drained
from four to six feet in depth-a mixed soil of
gravel, sand, clay and humus, with finely
broken bones inserted among the roots; also
the application of wood ashes, and yearly
coat Of leaves for fall mulching, and garden
refuse, sprinkled with ashes, for summer
coat. The wood and fruit were kept in bal
ance, each of which showed great thrift. The
grape, after it is gathered, will improve by
Keeping, being superior keeper. 1t is best
in February and March, but will keep later.
No grape perhaps requires so much care to
develop its good qualities as the Clinton. The
common fault with those who grow this sort
is that they neglect to thin out the clusters.
To grow all is to fail with well-established
vine. With young vine, the first few years
of its bearing, it is different. But the quality
is not so good in young vine.
1t is always better to leave the vine on the
trellis; in no case lay it down, as it will al
ways stand the winter, however cold, if its
wood is ripenen, which 1t will be if there is
not too much fruit grown; otherwise the
cold will take it, whether buried or not.