The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-03-16

lv planted than any other and upon the whole
it may be said it's success has been greater
than that of any other variety. Bunch and
berry very large. 1t ripenS with us about
the first of August. Its. color is black.
There arc various methods of pruning and
training, aud each has its supporters. The
fact is the vine is so productive that, with
ordinary treatment, it will yield it's lucious
sweets. Yet while So grateful for IL common
existence. under i'll usage its cNpa lSivc pow
crs hccounc contracted, and its disposition is
rendered stubborn; i'll which case The quality OF
the fruit is poor and the flavor inferior. AS
pruning has something to do with this, | will
cxHlain the modes | practice and state the re-
SUITS obtained.
The first summer after planting all that is
necessary * I" keep the ground free from
weeds. a III "rri; ill.,. soil wcll. Allow but one
shoot to grow. rubbing eli all others. This
shoot should ~ trli"a when about three feet
h!~i'. 80 ti,at The wood will be strong and
hrait:iy. In 'h* w;:.vr when We rrunC, cut
III" vines in length according To thickness.
Ii very strong. say three or two eyes. Thu.
vine, as We stand before it, is made up of old
and new wood. Vines older than one wear
have no buds. but they bear canes, which
grew the season before. Every v.nc, large or
small, is mainly made up of those cases. from
which we expect our crops. y young vine
has but few, but Il large old vine will show Il
mass OF them. However pcrpleXcd and con-
fused an old vine NAV be, if properi:: pruncd
il will yield its sweets.
we no" una our Young vines U1 last sum
mcr pruncG To say two or three eyes, from
which the next summer we may expect two
, Strnng shoots, which when ab0ui two or three
feet high should be topped. so that the buds
on the canes will produce lateral or side
shoots, which will produce more and finer
fruit than those on the main stem. In the
; fall or winter prinr these latcral~, or side
shoots, to one or two eyes, according to the
strength of the vine, so as to be sure of
fruit and to avoid growing " number OF shoots
for which we have no use. We wish ia direct
the energy ut the vino to the production of
fruit, rather than to The forming OF Il great
mass OF shoots.
Those who have many vines or :, vineyard
will have some fixed method of training,
Many train to stakes. and it may be cheaper
yet 1t Is more labor. aud the vines are ramp
ed together. My experience has taught me
tlra; the wire trrliiS is far the bcsi. and i,
recommended by every one who ha, tried it.
There is some prejudice existing against til,
us" of wire, as it has been t%hnu@n; that il
does injury to the vine by %ruStinw, bur I Il,
not lind i: so. The wire system will ailcw
free circulation of air, and is moro convenient
to tie to, and in the main much ci.eap Der tn, r.
is n" use in following aid custom. us long Us
better ones can be intrndaccd.
Few are aware ct the Importance of grape
growing. I'm some localities. no; far from
New \ DIRK city, notably on the banks of Lake
kcuEa, large crclS are devoted to grape
growing. The grower of grapes has an ad-
vantage over those who send Strawberries and
fruit Is not readily pcrisllblc. II not sold
to-day, it may he tomorrow. and will keep,
IL need be, fer several DAYS. | "pe what |
have written will serve asa guide for those
who are intending planting grapes.
G. w. WIEEISG, in.