The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-01-17
FARM TOPICS.
ROT AND MILpEw OF THE GRAPE.


The origin of rot and mildew of the
grape has given rise to numerous and
widely diverging conjectures, and the
various causes that have been attributed
do not appear to be very reliable. Both
diseases come and 90 with the seasons,
one year being noticeable on one variety
and the next upon some other kind, CIV
ing evidence that it is miasmatic or
sporadic, and developed according to the
atmosphere and condition of the vines as
regards health and vigor. The precau-
tionary measures largely adopted by
leading fruit-growers consist in free
use of sulphur, applied by busting the
vines occasionally, from the time the
seed is formed until the coloring is at
least half completed. Vineyards with
southern exposure are generally consid
cred more nearly exempt from rot than
any others, especially if the soil is natur-
ally well drained one and so situated
that no stagnant moisture cam exist up
on it. A correspondent writing on the
treatment of grapes to avoid rot, in the
Farmers AdrOcdte, urges the use of the
spade instead of the pillow in the prep
grafton of the land for planting. He
says: "When one knows how to use a
spade it is a very simple method, much
more rapid and less costly than would
be thought. An acre dug to the depth of
20 to "a inches costs little, relatively
The vines find ample support
in soil thus worked, and the
grapes will not rot.' 1t is
further suggested that the soil about the
vines be thoroughly worked in the
spring with spade, followed by four
or five hoeings in the summer, whether
there are weeds or not, in order to keep
the ground constantly stirred. All cul-
tivation should be done in fine weather
and when the soil is dry. Keep the
ground worked as deep as may be with
the hoe. 1t will then remain cool, the
vines viii thrive and the quality of the
fruit or wine be improved thereby.
In garden culture, for single row,
the borders should be eight or ten feet
long and about four feet wide. An ap-
proved mode of preparation is to dig
out the natural soil to the required depth
and the length and width necessary. If
the soil be stiff or damp small stones,
brush and rubbish may be laid at the
bottom as sort of drainage. On top
of this deposit the compost for the bor-
der. This may consist of two parts of
good, fresh friable loan, one of old,
well rotted manure and one of ashes,
shells and broken bones, all mixed to-
! gether The top of the border when
finished ought to be at least a foot high
er than the surface of the ground so
that it may still remain higher after set
Ting. When southern exposure which
gives the vines the benefit of the suns
rays all day can not be gained an east
ern exposure will often be found sue
cessful, especially with the early ripen-
ing varieties. A northern exposure
ought to be avoided if possible. and il
used the hardy, early ripening varieties
only should be planted.
THE TEXTURE OF THE SOIL.
The mechanical condition of the soil is
of such Importance that without the nee
essary texture no crops can be raised
This is the case with pure clay, with
clear sand, and also with soils composed
wholly of humps and pellets. Sand is
too porous; clay too compact; the
plant withers amid clods. Unite the
clay and sand, and the complexion Is Al
once changed; we now have soil. The
porosity in the one case i
lessened-the rigid compactness IL
the other. This same soil may bt
brought into the lumpy condition by
blowing when wet, followed immedi
ateIy by a hot sun which bakes it, ther
re- plowed and narrowed. If worked
however, when neither too wet nor too
dry, and exposed to the elements-frost
heat and rain-it will be in condition
not to grow crops (Which it may do t.
slight extent), but to receive manure
The manure farther acts upon the sol
chemically, and also mechanically, t.
|, reduce it to mellow condition. 1t thu
requires the manure to perfect tn
texture. The soil is now neither to-
! light nor too heavy, too porous nor to-
: compact. 1t is in condition which vii
freely admit air and moisture, ant
hence warmth and additional fertility
|, readily discharging the water if in ex
! cess, yet retaining some through it
! established capillary processes. The sol
is now fitted for the plant, hugging it
. roots snugly by the fineness and close
, ness of its particles, thus increasing tn
: contact with the roots and the conse
quent enlargement of absorption. Th
q roots also have freer play, which give
! them farther chance for contact and at
, sorption. If the soil has depth, tn
!, benefit is still farther augmented, an
= for large growing plants, where tn
I highest success would be reached, dept
! is necessary. We now have deep, ric
/ soil, which will grow any thing, an
: most things to perfection. The differer
!. proportions of clay and sand are to b
. considered in the treatment OF the so
and the assignment of its crops. Thsr
4 is little difficulty in retaining the propt