Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1888-12-08
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.


AdesrtsseS: II am going 70 put but four
Acres in grape vines this winter and a
teW peaf and apple trees. I am en-
hfely inexperienced In this RusiRess
and write TO intrude On your knowl-
edge and kindness for the desired in
formation. My confidence in your
judgment prompted me 10 sSll Upon
you in this particular. My farm Is
twenty miles east OF Atlanta, Ca, on
the Chattahoochee river, four miles
from Norcross, the nearest railroad
station. The land selected for
the vineyard Is a hill, has beeA
cleared about seven years, has
red clay foundation and dark red soil.
The land Is very good, produces about
three-fourths Of a bale OF cotton per
acre. The east side Of this hili is the
most appropriate place l can find for
grapes. Now will you please tell me
If this is a favorable place for the
grape. My neighbors tell me that
this kind of soil is especially adapted
to the grape, Also, will you tell ME
tho most PORTABLE kinds OF grapes for
me to plant and where | can secure
them the cheapest. l will want about
four thousand cuttings. Any infor-
nation you will give me on this subz
ject will be highly appreciated by me.
Please advise the most intelligent
way for me to pursue to start an orch
ard and vineyard
To this Prof. j. S. Newman, OF Au-
burn (Ala) Agricultural College, who
edits the agricultural department" OF
the Atlcerttser, replies as follows The
soil and exposure are well selected.
The soil will retain fertilizers applied
to it aud hence is susceptible Of the
high state Of improvement so neces-
sary for eminent success in grape cult
ure as we'll as for that OF apples and
pears. Tho exposure to tho east Is
just what is needed for grapes since
the early morning sun dries OF the
moisture from the vines and fruit be-
fore the temperature has been elevated
to a point favorable to the vegetation
of fungus spares. When the tempera-
turo rises the moisture has been
dissipated so that conditions IA
vOrable for mildew and rot are
not likely to be supplied upon such an
exposure. If grapes are planted
the moisture remains until the sun has
raised the temperature and the condi-
tions favorable to rot and mildew are
thus supplied.
II you propose using cuttings in
stead Of rooted vines you will have a
year in which to prepare your land
for the reception OF the vines. This
will best be done by terracing the
entire slope of the hill to be occupied
by vines and trees and sowing broad
cast in peas, fertilizing them to pro-
duce maximum quantity of vines.
Pillow between the terraces several
times with hillside plow,. throwing
each furrow down the hill. This
will partially level the soil be-
tween the terraces and prevent the
possibility OF surface washing. Be-
fore planting make a liberal applica-
ton of ashes, bone meal and cotton
seed meal, and when the trees and
vines are planted make heavy appli-
cation of compost and bone meal in the
furrow opened to receive the plants.
OF course these plants, both trees and
vines, will be planted in horizontal
rows, parallel to the terraces.
The most profitable varieties to plant
for the table and for the market are
Concord, Perkins, Ives, Delaware and
Hartford.
The cheapest way to procure cuttings
will be to assist some one who has
vineyard to prune his vines for the
wood. You will thus learn how to
prune and make the cuttings. The
latter need not be more than six
to ten inches in length. They should
be cut just above the bud at one end
and just below at the other; cut
half an inch from the bud to avoid in
juring it. The cuttings may be planted
in rows one foot apart and six inches
in the dr1l. They will take root more
readily If the top bud is covered from
half to one inch under the surface.
For varieties OF apples and pears
adapted to your section, see the cata-
Iogue of the Georgia State Horticult-
ural Society, and select those marked
two stars for the mountain region.
Some OF those recommended for the
middle region will, however, do we'll
on your land. Before planting an or
chard and vineyard determine to give
the attention in the way of cultivation
fertilizing and pruning necessary to Sc
cure profitable results, or your time,
labor and money expended in planting
will be wasted. Until the trees and
vines come into bearing, plant peas boz
tween the rows for the benefit of the
soil.
Kind Treatment of Fowls.