The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-07-19
FARM. GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Grape Culture.

LILO SuuuSl pIuuluS VI SldpSflueo.
says correspondent, requires attention,
in connection with trying the new growth
of wood to the trellis from time to time,
as fine canes that have been left united
are often broken off by heavy winds.
Some theoretical, inexperienced writer's
have recommended that the leaves of the
vines be removed around the fruit as fall
approaches, "to let in the sun to ripen
the grapes" The removing of the
leaves to let in the sun is highly injuri-
GUS, as grapes require shade to ripen in
perfection. I have noticed for many
years that such of my grapes as were ex-
posed to the full force of the suns rays
ripened no sooner than those in the
shade, and were of inferior quality. The
leaves of the vines are their lungs,
through which life and vigor are impart-
ed to the growing fruit. Note the result
of vines in some localities in August be-
coming defoliated, while loaded with
fruit. Not single cluster ripens.
Then take such vines as the Concord,
and cut them back yearly to two or three
canes to be trained to low stakes; and
the result is, the vines are killed by de-
9rees. a
Grape growers should now break off
the many small shoots that may be
called " suckers" when they shoot out
from the collar Of vine. Then many
shoots may be found higher that are of
feeble growth, which should be pinched
off, as they break very easily where they
: connect with the old wood. As to pinch
ing, or cutting off canes of thrifty
growth, Nwo or three leaves from the
fruit, "tg throw the more sap into the
growing'grapes," I doubt the alleged
benefit from such practice. For twenty
years l have grown grapes in the greatest
perfection without pinching back sim
gle cane; and when I did pinch the sur
plus canes back moderately I could see
no benefit from it. Different varieties
require different or closer pruning un
doubtedly; but I contend that as the
canes and leaves of every vine are its
life, if we deprive vines of these canes
that nature throws out, in considerable
degree we lessen their vitality. In the
fall, when the vines have made their
full growth of wood, we may very prop
erly prune away from one-quarter to one
third OF it; but I would not cripple the
vines by excessive summer pruning.
When we,come to the question of too
much fruit, that is different matter.
Most grapevines, especially while young,
are naturally inclined to set more fruit
than their roots can sustain; and we
must remedy that result by thinning out
the clusters in June, when the grapes are
very small. Some extensive vineyard
lists are in the habit, when growing
grapes for market, to clip out about one
third of their crop every season, claim
ing that they receive more for the bal
ance than the entire crop would have
sold for if none had been cut away. In
fact, in some cases, if the entire crops
were left to mature on the vines, there
would be partial failure of the fruit
maturing, and it would be worth but
vesB little. Every grape grower should
be judge of how much fruit it is safe
to allow to grow to maturity. He must
Judge by the age of his vines, the soil
they grow in, the probable extension of
their roots, and the natural capabilities
of his varieties to sustain large crops.
Those who are growing vines one year
old should allow but one cane to grow
this season, the best one, and to be tied
to small stake. Two and three year
old vines may be allowed to have two
canes; but never leave vines to grow
bushy, with dozen or more struggling
shoots, unworthy to be called canes, as
you cannot bring vines into good bear
ing shape by such management.
Weigh or Measure Farm Products.
If every farmer would weigh or meas
ure his products correctly before send
ing OF hauling them to market, he might
escape much annoyance as well as direct
loss. Although we begin our iuvestiga-
tions into the cause Of so much COM
plant of short weight or measure in
farm products reaching the markets by
assuming that both buyer and seller are
strictly honest, the.e isstill leftsbundant
room FOR errors which may engender
much bitter feeling between dealers.
There are very few farmers who possess
correct scales with which to weigh all
articles sold by weight, before they are
taken to market; hence there is much
guessing where actual knowledge might
be employed instead. The bushel or
half bushel measure employed are
usually little better than guesses at the
quantity they are supposed to hold, and
disappointments or actual losses follow
their use. If farmer sends the grocer
six bushels Of potatoes or apples, and
only charges for five, the difference is
seldom made up, for it is rule of trade
for both parties to strive for the best of
the bargain. Every farmer should pro-
vide himself with correct scales and
measures, and then carefully weigh or
measure every article, and note down
the quantity before it leayes his prem
ises. Ihen he will have the means of
knowing positively whether cheating is
attempted, Or successfully practiced, by
those who purchase his products.
Without some such precautionary
measure, he is at the mercy of others,
whether they are honest or otherwise.
tsskss Killing Insects.
Perhaps the very best method of rid
ding our woodwork of insect pests is by
fumigating it with sulphur fumes. This
may be quickly done by taking one
room at time. The windows and doors
and every opening, including frerlaces,
ventilator, etc, shoul@ be carefully
closed, newspapers being pasted over or
stuffed in all cracks and holes which |
would afford draught. Then spoon
full or two of sulphur should be put into
a shallow dish or old basin of tin, set on
fire and left in the middle of the room
for an hour or two. When we return
and open the room we shall fnd it per-
meated with deadly fumes, which will |
have penetrated every crevice, and
brought all noxious insects to timely |
end. Of course we must avoid breathing
the fumes ourselves.
4 Washing Fluid. /;
A correspondent OF the Germanto wn
Telegraph says, to make good washing
fluid, take cne-third ounce gum camphor
dissolved in one-half pint of alcohol
also ore-third pound of borax aud one
half pound sal soda, and dissolve in one
gallon OF hct rain water, and the fluid is
ready after stirring all the Ingredients
together add one gallon Of cold rain wa
ter before adding the gum camphor and
alcohol. In using add about four table
spoonfuls to pint of soft soap, apply
to the parts of clothing most soiled, and
soak in warm water an hour, or while