The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-09-21
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Disease in the Vineyard.

Ine IOJ Is SERIOUSLY a1ectlng mary
vineyards in different sections of the
country. The cause OF the disease,
the prevention and cure, are subjects
of constant investigation and discus
sion among vine growers.
There exists considerable diversity
of opinion in regard to this rot. A
few points, however, seem to be very
generally accepted. These will be
noted:
First-The leading varieties of the
Labrusca family, as the Concord, Ives,
Hartford, Iona, etc, are most subject
to disease.
Second-This disease is more preva-
lent than formerly, affecting many va
rieties heretofore considered exempt.
Third-The disease is liable to de-
velop at any time from the setting of
the fruit until it is full size.
Fourth-That the causes of grape
rot are largely atmospheric, chiefly al
formations of heat and moisture.
Fifth-That the disease shows the
presence of fungus action.
Sixth-The most effective remedies
yet known are sulphur, bagging and
close summer pruning.
George Husmann acknowledged au-
thority on all matters pertaining to
grape culture, thinks that mildew is
the principal cause of the gray rot
that is generally found on berries, the
stems of which have already been
affected by mildew. Early summer
pruning is advised by him as a pre-
ventive of mildew, with busting Of
sulphur applied by means of bellows
over the vines. The gray rot, also
called grape cholera, first appears in
gray streaks on the berries. In few
days it turns to grayish-blue color,
withers and drops from the bunch. 1t
continues to affect berries until they
begin to ripen and color, but is con-
fined to comparatively few varieties,
among which are numbered the Ca
tawba and Diana.
The spotted or brown rot, destruc-
tive disease of late appearing among
the Concord, Martha Rogers hybrids
and others of the LabruSuas, seems to
make small puncture on the berry
which takes on liver-colored hue and
spreads rapidly. Mr.. Husmann recon-
mends for this form of rot longer fall
pruning and close early summer prun-
ing, as it is worse on vines with rank
growth. Training on the trellis higher
than is generally followed will, in his
opinion, prove partial preventive; in
short, anything which will give freer
to the light will he of aid. Another
form of rot appearing frequently on
the HerbemOnt, Lenoir and Hermann,
generally comes after frequent show
ers, close sultry air and hot sunshine
after the showers. 1t appears in gray
ish spots on the foliage, which shrivels,
and the berries dry up as if scalded.
1t comes in spots. Sometimes all the
fruit on one arm will be destroyed,
while that on the other arm on the
same vine is healthy and all of it will
ripen.
Addison Kelley, of Kelley's Island,
Ohio, says that the most successful
remedy tried on the island for mildew
rot is sulphur; one part sulphur and two
parts fine lime or p.aSter, well mixed,
twenty-four hours previous to using.
This preparation is used for the first
application; afterward equal parts of
each. 1t is blown on by bellows from
the Odd to Goth Of the months of June,
July and August. lie thinks the
weather has little to do with this rot
Mr.. Bateman, of Ohio, claims that
excess of moisture and vigor in the
vines induces rot therefore, for black
rot the best preventive is to keep the
roots dry and thus shut off the exc SIS
i've supply of sap.
A number of prominent fruit-grow-
ers approve of the narrow roofing of
boards or canvas covers over the grape
trellis, believing that these protect ons
keep off mildew and lessen the liabili-
ties to rot. 1t is generally conceded
that bagging the grapes as soon as the
fruit is set will prevent rot on the
clusters covered.
By the foregoing it will be perceived
that there is, as yet, no certain proven
tive or cure for this troublesome dis
ease, hence the best method of avoid.
ing rot is to plant varieties not subject
to it, in localities and soils best adapted
to grape culture.-Ne,o York World.