The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-16
Southern Small Fruit Culture.
GRAPES.
No. l.

GRAPES.
No. l.
Grape culture, even in the lower ATTITUDES
of the south, long ago ceased to be an expe-
riment, but it is only in recent years that a
general recognition OF this fact has come to
our people. Even those who have not prac-
tically demonstrated the fact for them
selves are aware that it has been so demon
strated by some one or more in every county
in the south, and they are very we'll aware
that if they should decide to enter upon
grape culture their venture need not be of
the nature of doubtful experiment il they
only use the practical knowledge of the SUBJ
jec5 that has been acquired by othera
1t is only question of suitability of soil,
proper selection of variety and reasonable
care and cultivation afterward, whether
the same calamity will attend the cultiva-
ton of the grape as it does any other of the
regular crops of the country.
There are certain requirements, Of course,
to be met, and no one should undertake
grape culture on large scale without post
ing himself as to these requirements, and
determining to meet them as fully as posi-
BILE. This is q requisite to success in any
undertaking.. There is no crop Of like value
that is more readily grown than grapes
when gone at Alright. AS with all other
crops success will be more easily attained
by some than by others.
The one possessing soil naturally adapted
to grapes will, as q matter of course, be
more likely to meet with the highest success
than the one who must render soil adapta-
bic by artificial means. There are very few,
however, who possess such soil as needs no
amendment by the cultivaror for the suc-
cessful growth of grapes. In the majority
of cases more or less must be done in the
way of draining and tertilzing the soil, to
put and keep it in shape for the proper
growth and continuance of the vine. The
teachings of a long experience, extending
through centuries, have evolved certain
facts which, for the sake of brevity, we call
science, and we have only to acquaint our
selves with these facts, usually few in num-
Der, to pursue intelligently the business that
we would undertake
What are the "facts" in relation to grape
culture?
l. If the soil is not naturally drained
drainagemust be secured artificially.
q If the soil is lacking in the elements of
fertility these must be supplied.
g. II a due amount of moisture is not
naturally supplied it must be supplied by
artificial means one way or another
4. In the selection OF variety Tor species)
climatic conditions must be regarded
Practical grape culture may be said to
rest upon these four facts as foundation
"A Of S,VIt but
enlargement or amplification of these fun
damental truths. Novelty may be supplied
to the subject from time to time without
interfering with these facts-in noways al
terlng their Specifications.
Most of our soils are sufficiently drained
naturally, and it is only here and there
where the soil selected for grape growing
will stand In need of any artificial aid.
wherever the need is indicated it should
not be neglected.
moist but well-drained soil is in the
highest degree favorable to the growth of
The grape, as is indicated by the vine in it's
mild state, possessing almost exclusively
tnls kind of soil. Our hillsides however,
can be made to afford very congenial To-
cation for its successful growth. Soils
naturally dry will grow most Of the grapes
'naG VIII be grown in the south.
Tue Alabama experimental station, aloog
WIN numerous individual growers, has
SHOWN that the very poorest knobs and hill
sioes can be fitted without undue expense
Aor I the successful growth OF the grape
where there is a choice Of soil one should
choose that is best adapted to its
growth, to be sure, but it is true there is
tuucn SOIL suited to the growth of the vine
" can De made so that is poorly fitted for
our ordinary cultivated annual crops. In
auultion to a reasonable supply Of hunus in
Tue soil the essential elements OF fertility
In ~ - -
pnorlc acid and potash. This is most eco
npmlcally supplied in the south by our
phosphate rock and ashes of cotton seed
LUIS out ground bone and ashes make a
own Oct er application. Ground bone sup
pnes nitrogen in addition to phosphoric
aclo, and the soil must be supplied with the
necessary quantity of this element, too, If
noo present naturally, but care should be
eAercised that it is not furnished to excess
~ any Time. AS with the peach where per-
anehcy or the vine is sought, too much
olsture and too much nitrogen must be
guarded against.
IN making start in grape culture the
tISs1 economical plan is to procure 1-year-
olu plants of the varieties selected to be
grown. There are a great many who make
80 business to supply grape plants in guam
and they can be had very cheaply by
sne hundred or thousand.
after start has been made the provid-
.hg OF additional plants for enlargement of
rne vineyard is very easy, AS there is no plant
TS1 e readily propagated than the grape.
ms Is done by layers or cuttings
"a according to variety well-rooted 1-year-
~ ~ pants can be obtained at any where
I'LL rom $lo to $40 per LOCO Standard sorts.
h aSe the Concord, Catawba, Clinton, Isa-
Lella and Ives are to be obtained at much
over rates than other popular kinds, such
a. delaware Moore's Early, Nortons Vir-
s.nla and Duchess. The latter named sorts
s ore 'hree to four times the price of the for
mer, usually
Amongst the hundreds OF varieties cata-