Delta chief., 1885-08-05
VOLUME III.
Grape&,ulture.

Condensed from Rev l.. C. Alleys lecture before
the Delta County Horticultural Society.
The past few years the subject of grape
culture has commanded wide attention, and
we will venture, IN the outset of this paper,
to prophesy that in twenty years more the
grape will be regarded only rs second in i'm
portance to the apple, the chief Of fruits.
Our climate is almost unexcelled in the
elements required for successful crane
growing district. The location for q grapery
should be an elevated enc, and many recon-
mend a northern slope. Our mesas are ad.
mirabiy situated for growing this fruit.
We would not advise any great effort at
propagation, but believe it cheaper in the
long run to purchase from the nursery two
year old grape vines than attempt their
growth from seeds, layers, cuttings and graft
ings. .....
In preparing the soil, il upland. il should
be heavily manured and then plowed under;
the ground should be laid of six or eight
feet each way. Dig holes rather shallow,
say eight TO twelve inches. Run water in
the holes for twenty four hours before set
ting; put in no manure, but plenty of broken
bones. l believe it is the general testimony
that no fruit requires too little water; how
ever in our adobe soil I am OF the opinion
the grape should have considerable water the
iirst year nj least. Late irrigation should be
avoided. that the wood will have time To
harden, bu, before freezing weather a liberal
coax ing should be given.
As to pruning. the bcs, time is in the spring
and the best instrument, ronr thumb and fin.
ger. Pinch back the Young growth at its
very start In the fall much Of the sum.
,ncr's growth should Ice cut OF. and that
which is left should he covered with earth to
the depth of eight or ten inches to serve as
winter protection.
Down in the Mississippi valley grapes
could not we'll be raised without careful
trsiiisipg: the blight, caused by the excessive
moisture, is their great plague and destroyer.
In thi. country aud climate we never know
blight; and as the temperature of the aimos.
phere nt nigh, is rather low, causing grea,
radiation Of heat from the earth, surface, it
is plain that grape. will be benefited by
either lying upon or but little above the
ground, thus receiving the benefits Of the
heated ,un and atmosphere during the day.
and at night the radis,-'l heat from the earth.
Beside. bcius spread over the ground much
Of the hard baking of our peculiar soil 10
prevented. So don't ,rcllis your grape vines
too high.
Aud now for few concluding thoughts on
the selection of proper varieties. In this
matter earline.s sSould he the governing
principle. Il has been conclusiv.ly shown
that any grape ripcning AFTER the Concord is
not fitted for our climate. hut We are for
tunats In having large number OF varieties
that r!pen before the Concord d"es. Al u
late session Of our State Horticultural Socie.
~ . vote Was taken To ascertain what were
the hes, fne varieties, with the following re.
suit: Concord, Delaware, Brighton, Chas
sesas and Martha.
Mr.. V. Deyinney, prominent and most
successful grape cnlinrist, makes the follow
ing recommendations Champion, James.
vile, Perkins, Hartford, Mnssnsoit Lindiy,
Wilder. Brighton, Delaware. Ermeian. !
would add to this already extended list,
Wordcn. Moorc's Early aud Early Victor.
But wc should have two or three foreign
grapes growing on our grounds. and some Of
them seem quite a, home when placed in our
soil and climate. Any Of the following can
he obtained of Mr. Valentine D-vinncy, OF
Denver, and are almost certain to give salts.
faction. viz: Cha-sela's Fon,ain blrnn, Hack
Hamburg Sweet Water, Black Madeline and
ChAsseia's Musquc.