The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-06
Garden Culture of the Grape.

The products of even few vines would
add much to the comfort and qualification
of a family, to say nothing of the health
fulness of the fruit writes James 1. Baird
in the Epitomist. Hence it would pay
every family TO set apart if but small
space in their garden for the culture of the
grape.
Ground allotted to the vine should be
well underdrained, unless ii be light. dry
soil, and sufficiently inclined to shed the
water freely. The south side of the north
enclosure of the garden is usually the
best situation, though any situation on
which the sun shines half the day will do
very well.
AS rule, most garden soils suit grape
culture well, and manures need not be ap-
piled so long as there is vigorous growth
but so soon as the vine hows signs of
decline, then supply leaf-mould and we'll
may be added, in moderate quantities, some
ashes and lime. 1t is, however, very diff
cult to restore vines when once run down
by neglect and the want of food.
Plant the roots or vines two or three
feet from the Enclosure, or wall of build
ings, and set up trellises for the support
of the vines. Trellises are much better
than training against walls, as they admit
light and free circulation of air. When
there is not room for trellises, stakes may
be used with very good results. Set the
vines four or five feet apart, and press
firmly the soil about the roots. If the
planting be done in the fall. raise a little
mound about the stem to protect the lower
buds during the winter.
As to cultivation, keep the soil mellow
and free from weeds. This may be done
with the same implements. and much in
are cultivated. The soil should not be
worked when wet, nor so deeply near the
vines as to injure the main roots.
The vines will very soon require pruning
after they begin to grow, for buds and
tendrils put out more numerous than can
be, allowed to grow, and they must be
rubbed or pinched off. Let but single
fail cut this back to four or five buds;
two of these only should be allowed to
grow the second year. Keep the vines
secured to the stakes or other supports,
and all laterals and tendrils cut or rub
bed off.
If the vines grow vigorously, cut each
cane back to about four feet in length.
These canes should be trained to bars
and running in opposite directions from
the buds or spurs on these spring lat
erals which should be trained to up
right supports. Each one of these lat
erals viii set few punches of grapes,
and If they are strong and vigorous,
four punches. After the upright canes
have grown about two feet they should
be cut off three or four leaves beyond
ers putting out from these must be pinch
ed off. Indeed, all the laterals should be
At the winter pruning cut the upright
canes back to about three buds. two Of
fruit. And thus are the vines managed
each year.
But, we viii add, for the encourage
ment of those who may desire the fruit,
but fear they could not give the atten-
ton required. to produce it, that we have
some Concords and Amber Queens in our
garden which are neglected, save that
the soil is kept rich and the weeds down,
which bear fairly good fruit every sea
son.
There are many varieties of grapes.
some valuable, some worthless. Some do
well in one locality, which are often of
little or no value in Others 1t is safest
to buy those varieties which are well
recommended and which do well in the
near vicinity of the purchaser.