The Russellville Democrat., 1881-07-14
FACTS FOR FARMERS.
The Preservation of Vineyards From Grape
 Rot
[Tndianapo.is sentIuel.l


 Indianapolis sentiuel.I
 The grape rot has caused such serious damage to vineyards all over the coun- try within the last ten years that many fruit growers are contemplating the abandonment of grape culture altogether as unprcitaDle. 1t is still mystery to all--the cause and cure; but no doubt will, in the course of few more years, be overcome by proper methods. So far, the safest plan of preservation has been to inelose the branches in paper bags, but this is a very laborious and tedious operation. What we desire, how ever, is to know the cause of the rot and the preventative. If we closely watch our vines during the growth of the fruit, it will be noticed that it is principally dur ing a period of damp, cloudy weather that the process of decay takes place. First little speck on the grape, which rapidly enlarges, until finally the fruit falls to the ground.
 It is nothing new, for thirty years ago our white grapes routed annually, and often not single bunch was gathered from large field of them. This process of rotting, as it is caalled, takes place about the time of the formation of the seed, and it certainly is not attributable to any disease of the roots. or attacks of parasites, as may be supposed, for if so, our vineyards would by thls time be completely destroyed. On the contrary, we had better crop last year than dur ing several years previous, which de- stroys such theory. We must, therefore, consider the subject from another point.
 The following experiments were tried last season, which are well worth the consideration of all who are interested in this subject: A row of vines were Jeff standing without being fertilized. Another had an application of common barnyard manure. The third was treat ed with barnyard manure which had previously been subjected to a sprink- ling of diluted sulphuric acid (oil of vit- riol), and the fourth row was supplied with an equal mixture of dissolved bones, muriate of potash, plaster and guano. While we admit that the rot was not very serious on any of the rows, the two that had been treated with the calculated manure and mineral fertilizer were freer than the others, while the punches were much larger and finer. We deduct from these experiments, therefore, that the fertilizers must be soluble and ready to be at once absorbed by the vines and the fruit, which was the case with the third and fourth rows, and that the fruit during the process of seed formation needs a ready pre-. pared food (phosphoric acid chiefly, the growth from infancy being very rapid and the change from starch to sugar being very quick. During the exact period Of ripening potash plays a principal part in assisting in the forma- ton of sugar, and yet, strange to say, there is no potash at all to be found in sugar. This is the case with all fruits and vegetables containing sugar, but more especially is it the case with the grape. The scid principle is tartaric acid, and this particular acid seems always associated with potash in the shape of tartrate of potash.
 The row which was fertilized with raw manure fared worse than the others. Whether 1t was caused by fermentation at the roots or lack of some particular ingredient is unknown, but the unma- nured row evidedtly needed ready solu- ble neurishment. It is not safe to ex- press an opinion as to the reason of this difference, as the subject is still open to discussion.
 One thing has been gained by the ex- pertinent, however, whic h is that we are taught that vines fertilized with chemi- calls are freer from the evils than those not so managed and it is also clear that by saturating our stable manure with diluted sulphuric acid we at once put it in proper condition for plant food. It is to be noticed also that we had better grape season than usual last year. Let us experiment this year and note the result, for the remedy may at last be found to be very simple.