Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1879-12-11
AGRICULTURAL.
Cultivation of Grapes.

few seem to indulge passion for Gull
tivating them. They will beg, borrow
steal or buy grapes, and it is as easy,
and tenfoIl more enjoyable, to Guilt
waite them. Most beople a.e under
1oIusion in the matter, thinking it
,aystery known to professional grape
growers on'y, believing that vine
would surely die if touched by igno-
rant and ordinary hands. | labored
under this delusion myself for long
time, and so ignorant did | keep my
self, fearing to appear presumrtuons In
he eyes Of the grape growing arlstoc-
racy, that | could scarcely tell the
difference between grapevine and
musk melon. But began to Won
der about such things, and then to
rlant, and now l have bushels of
grapes in the proper season.
1t is only five years ago, as re-
turned from hearing Thanksgiving
sermon, that I saw neighbor trim
ming his grape.vlnes. Mastering
sufficient courage, l politely asked
him for few cuttings. lie replied
that | could have waggon.load if |
wanted them. Selecting about thirty
cuttings Of different kinds, with four
eyes (buds)in each, and marking them
bv their proper names, l went trl-
umphantly home, to eat turkey and
crsnberries.
The ground was SO much frozen
that | could not bury my cuttings IN
the earth so | put them into a box
covered them with damp sand, and
placed them in a cellar. In the
spring, as early as the frost would
permit, I planted the cuttings along
the side of wall which looked to ;hc
south and east, taking care TO eav"
two buds above ground. Then dur
ing the summer, when it was very
drv, | sometimes emptled pall OF
water about them. Fifteen began to
serl out buds, and became deeply
interested. Some grew faster than
others, but ! cherished even the fee,
blest.
The next spring they appeared
strong and sent out their buds early. l
dug around them and buried at their
roots all the old bones | could fad
They made enormous growth through
this second summer, sending out
young shoots two or three yards long
About Thanksgiving trimmed them,
leaving only the best cane and tying
them up to the trells.
The following spring the bn!s came
bright and early and appeared full Of
blossoms. This was a new feature OF
interest that | watched week after
week till the grapes ripenel, and IN
September every one who ate OF tie
fruit of nv vines said. "They are the
most delicious grapes | have tasted
this season." The varieties Of grapes
are numerous, as may be seen by a
glance at any nursery catalogue; but,
10 persons unaccustomed to their cnl
tivation, | think the best plan is to
select the more familiar sorts first,
such as the Hartford Prolific, which ie
said to be among the earliest varieties,
and the Concord, which is also an ex
celent grape, ripenins by the first OF
September. The Iona is asplendid
grape, coming a little later. The
Salem, Diana and the delicious little
Delaware furnish delightful eating
through all the month Of September
The Catawba and Isabella, if we'll
cared for, will ripen in October and
furnish grapes all the month; besides,
they may be carefully packed away
so as to kesp-some say-til Christ
noe. If the space is limited, then
one grapevine planted by the side of
the house or by the fence, taking care
to give it an eastern or southeastern
aspect, will produce enough to supply
a whole family; but it must be taken
care of and properly trimmed every
year, between the first Of December
and the middle OF March. Those who
prefer it can have vines bearing
year sooner by buying from the MUIR
fery those already rooted, but in
planting be careful never to put man
ure Of any sort to them tile first year,
or you will kill the vine; bones, how
ever, will not hurt, but the contrary.
q. ay1U' }n,.L Observer.