The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-03-16
The Scnnnprnong Crane.

Ills IL an RIHSIlCdh SAopS' "HN a..
accidental seeding or "chance sport"
of our native Wits vulpina, or Bull
lace grape. All the traditions OF Its
o,Ipin point to the eastern shore OF
Norh Carolina on a small lake or
river of that name From that orig
inal source in has been propagated
by cuttings and layers.
1t is essentially Southern grape,
ripening here in this latitude during
the month of September, and 1t could
scarcely be cultivated successfully
beyond the lower portion OF Nir-
uinla. 1t is later in shooting in
spring than any other grape, not
blooming here before the middle OF
May, thus escaping all risk OF spring
,rost. The thick skin protects the
trmt from atmospheric changes and
it never rot4. 1t is hardy, vigorous
in growth, we'll adapted to any kind
ot soil, and, with proper manage
mtnt, it gives safe and certain crop.
Like its parents, the wild Bullace,
de berries are few (from one TO ten
or tVel>,), borne in loose clusters,
and mostly ripening together. The
berry is round, and, when fully
grown about the size of boys
marble. Like all the so-called "white
grapes" the fruit is green (like the
Malaga i'll COLOR, changing to dull
brown when fully ripe. With a
large tough pulp when half ripe, it
loses most OF the pulriness when
thoroughly ripe. The flavor is Pc
culiar, and unlike that OF all the
foreign or American grapes III cult
vation.
':he whole habit OF the grape is SO
mike that OF those in general cult
,ation and its training and manage.
m.nt are so entirely different, that l
ma, be pardoned for going some
what into detail in what may be new
10 most of our Northern readers.
From the compact structure OF the
wood it is difficult to get cuttings to
strike. The usual mode OF propaga-
ton is by layering. Those who
propagate largely keep certain vines
for that purpose, well cut back to the
stnmp. leaving numerous shoots ot
short length with four or five buds.
In the spring these start and grow
xs>Ssial,s p.s 4sNa aev have s.attained
a length of five or SIX feet, aud are
then fit for layering. A bunch OF
them. say from six to dozen, are
brought together, the leaves stripped
from the lower portion, a hole made
with the trowel near the stump, and
a handful of well rotted manure
,hrown in the vines are bent down
lnio the hole, and earth is banked
mon them TO keep them in position,
he exposed ends being slightly ele
va,ed by pressing the earth upwards.
Hoe off weeds and grass during the
summer, and by November they are
ready TO be litted-all well rooted
One good, strong root may give
from fifty to a hundred layers.
These rooted layers may be
olanted out at any time during tho
winter. The usual mode OF training
is on a canopy, which is enlarged as
me vine grows. They should be sci
about twenty five to thirty ttet apar
in all directions, and even greatel
distance on very rich land With
these. as with all other plants, care
in making good start, by opening
large holes and manuring well, tells
on the after growth.
Alter they are planted out, ID;
Young vines should be cut back tt
three or tour buds, and a stake
driven in near the vine. standing
about SIX feet out CT ground, tt
which the vine is tied. AS the sea
son advances all the lateral SHOOTS
must be pinched off, 50 as 10 leave :
single clean stem, which is kept tieC
to the stake as it grows. At the
end OF the first season IL should have
reached the top OF the stake. The
following winter a canopy must be
starled on which the vine may be
spread. Four upright posts, about
Fix feet high and ten feet apart, will
Alats over the top, will give space
enough for the second seasons
growth. This canopy can be eX
tended atterward TO suit the vine
1t is important that the vine be kept
uniformly spread out over this
canopy so as to give sun and ar II
they overlap and become crowded
The production Of good fruit is lessen
Oh The trunk must he kept clear Of
all laterals below the main branches
on the canopy.
The scuppernong is said ~ 10
need pruning. This is mcasurably