The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-02-03
GRAPES AND now TO GROW THEM.
[nsAp Ar MILlyILIE MKErlNel

onuOueu III tnt DiOle " Tue grape, IL
as well known to the ancients and
not to the Anteduluvian world IL |
'as soon sitter, we are told in Biblical
istory that after the deluge Noah |
bon after become husbandmau and
lanted vineyard aud made wine.
Vineyards became abundant and some
{ great magnitude 10 the days Of the
'atriarchs. The land of Canaan was
productive Of grapes OF an enormous
ize a. we are told that Caleb and
Joshua bought bunch of grapes sup
,orted on the shoulders of men, to
,estify of the fruitfulness OF the land.
Grapes 10 all countries aud in all ages
have been q fsvorite fruit with man
kind, not only as delicscy, but as an
article Of food, and to-day in most
temperate climates grapes form pro.
minent article of food, often times eat.
en- with bread. or dried as raisins, and
in these countries from the fermented
juice wines are made, which is suppos
ed to be Of all other liquors the most
stimulating for the stomach and exhil-
arating for the spirits of man. The
medical properties of the grape are
numerous, but whether it has been pro-
ductive of most good or most harm to
man, will for ever remain one of those
problems which the reasoning of man
can never solve. 1t ls, however, ad-
mitted that where we find evidence or
remains of high class of civilization
you will also fi1d the grape was cult
waited and held in the highest esteem,
even on our ancient works of art often
to be seen as the emblem of fruitful
ness and prosperity.
The longevity of the grape vine is
wonderful, four and six hundred year.
being gwen by Pliny and Bose, a.
its ordinary age. The celebrated Bur-
gundy vineyards are many of them
four hundred years old, and many of
those in Italy are still flourishing, and
celebrated for their grapes and wines.
One of the most beautiful sights l be
held in the way of grapes, was to see
the celebrated giant grape vine now
growing at Hampton Court Palace,
England, it is of the we'll known Black
Hamburg variety, older than our dec
lsration of independence and measur-
ing nearly four feet in circumference,
covering the space Of over two hun
dred square yards, grown under glass,
and supplying the Queens table every
year with nearly two thousand clus-
ters of luscious grapes weighing on au
average one and one.half pounds each.
Ittakes the entire time of two men to
care for this wonderful grape vine. Al
this paper was not intended for the ex-
perienced fruit grower but for amatuers
and the young men, to whom we have
to look for our future fruit growers
and farmers, l have divided this sub
ject namely: "What varieties to plant,
'How to plant and "How to treat
them after they are planted"
WHAT VARIETIES TO PLANT.
am lover of good grapes and fo'
many years have been delighted to
grow them. l have experim-nted with
numerous varieties, some well know
varieties can be grown with success ir
some localities, will fail 10 others, one
of the secrets of success is to procure
varieties that are suitable to our sec
ton. The well known Catawba can.
not ripen IT, perfection, have therefore
discarded it, aud several other we'll
known grapes simply because have
found that after several failures that
they cannot be grown with success
And in order that those who may wish
to plant grape vines after hearing this
paper read | will tell them what varie-
ties they should plant TO be sure of
success. At the head of my list l place
the "Concord," it is one of the most
popular grapes grown to-day in the
country owing to it's great vigor and
never failing productiveness, in fact.
it may be termed the grape for the
millions. The "Worden," very simi
lar in merits to the "Concord" but
seen fruiting together is entirely differ
snt in many respects but an excellent
grape. "Moore's Early" is valuabl,.
variety. l find it hardy, produc i've
and early, three valuable qualifications.
The "Early Brighton in color and
form resemble ''Cata ,ba" but ripeniug
earlier. Of "Roger's Hybrids' have
several of bis best red grapes. l con-
slider the "Agawam' (or No. l5) the
''Sal-m," the '.Lindley," the "Herb-rt'
and "Wilier should be in every gar
den. Hartford prolific" "Bacchus,' =
martha "Pocklington," ''Niagara, y
these have growing and can bp grown
very successfully. There are many
new varieties constantly being brought
before the public, my advice Is do not
pay fancy prices for new varieties un-
til they have been fully tested, great
frauds are constantly perpetrarcd OF
the public by exhibiting plates of new
grapes that only look well and mature
in the fruit tree agents catalogue.
Presuming that. you have procured
some or any of the varieties mentioned
the next QUESTION to be considered il
how to plant them.
HOW TO PLANT.
1T seems but simple matter with
many but | have observed great ignor.
ance displayed in the planting of a
tree or grape vine.r l have known in
stances of vines being bought at big
price and then carelessly planted, and
should they fail to grow then the nur
seryman is pronounced fraud, wher
the cause is simply one of careless
planting. When preparing young
vines for planting ! cut back to two
eyes, cutting off about one third Of
the roots the object is to get mass o.
short lateral roots instead of a few
long ones, proceed to dig your hole,
not more than ten inches deep but b,
sure and have them wide enough, ther
place stake firmly in the centre o
the hole and then place the vine il
position care fully spreading out il
roots in manner that will not crow,
one another, do not place your vim
any deeper than it grew in the nur
sery, do not put any manure or ferti
lizer in contact or near the roots, afte
placing few inches of fine soil abou
the roots tread il firmly, then NOR
earth and tread again. This firmin,
L l.