Wichita eagle., 1888-11-09
ABOUT GRAPE OULTURE.

To the Editor OF the Eagle.
The large quantities of grapes now for
sale on the streets imported from the
east brings the thought that it is a
strange thing to do when this most ex-
cellent of all fruit can be so easily raised
right here. From some careful observa-
tions during the fall, the writer has
learned beyond doubt the re is no bet
ter soil or climate known for the sue
cessful growth of grapes, especially. than
in southern Kansas and right in the city
of Wichita. There is no valid reason
why every owner Of lot in the city
with foot of ground uncovered by his
buildings, should not have an abundance
of this fruit every year for little or no
expense.
A vine planted beside porch will in a
year or two, make beautiful covering
for the porch to protect it from the mid
day sun, and will climb aud run any dis
lance allowed, and little taste and care
displayed in training and pruning it will
more than repay the labor, and the fruit
it will Weld will not only aStonish but
gladden. the whole household.
The writer well remembers
the old Concord vine that covered an
eastern porch at the old homestead in the
east 1t had not only covered the porh
front. but had gone on around the house
in both directions until its extremes were
rapidly approaching each other on the
opposite side.
a careful estimate Of the fruit it bore
annually was often placed at 800 pounds,
and it never failed of a crop after 1t came
to bearing. A curious fact was also no
ticeable, which was that the fruit far
thest from the body of the vine was
alwas the finest and ripened week
or more before that nearer.
Many time have we picked five hush
els fully fifty feet feet from the root.
Let US not only suggest but urge those
who have not given attention 70 this
seemingly trivial matter already to delay
no longer but plant now, this fall, at
Leaf one vine ana as many more as you
have room to plant. 1t may De allowable
also for me TO give some hints as 10 the
best wav of doing so as well as some OF
the best varieties known for this climate.
This | venture 20 do with
all due modesty, for while /
believe there are many who well under
stand fruit culture, there may be some
who would like little information on
the subject First. of whatever variety
you plant get good strong root and get
it as near home as you can so as TO have !
ii above ground as short time as pos
sible. have received roots by mail
long distance when packed and sent by
careful dealer and they grew well, but
in such cases too much care cannot be
given 10 plant them In well pnlverized
soil. the little rootlets carefully straight
ened out and all bruised ones removed.
press the soil firmly and give II plenty OF
water. no only when first planted, bat
afterwhile it remains dry. During the
first year or two be sure it has plenty OF |
water often when the roots have gone |
well down into the soil it viii De better |
able 20 care for Itself, but II never VIII |
be amiss 10 ses to il IN all dry tunes thai |
it be water-d- Train and prune it to |
suit your own taste, and the csrcuui-
stances IN which you place il.
/ have never known a man 10 make a /
mistake By planting the old well known