Decorah-posten., 1898-06-10
II GRAPE \

One OF my neighborS remarked
on a bright April day that he mus.
prunc his Grape vines, although hC
quantity added, 'twant a bit OF use
his vines never did anything.
But my friend" ] said, Apr.
is not the time for pruning. The
sap is already running
Good graciousl' he exclaimed.
81 never knew it made the least
bit Of difference when it was
DONE"
Then he told me his vines had
been set six years, and he had
never seen a ripe grape from them,
when he had vines enough to bear
bushels and bushels. ] asked
about the locality, his manner OF
treating and so forth, and what he
told me was not favorable to grape
bearing.
The vines were set on the north
side of a tall building, and got
very little sun. They were hard
beddedi in greensward which he sell
dom disturbed. In long dry sea
sons he never thought of watering
them, and time of pruning was
solely a matter Of personal con-
veuience. He could not under
stand why his vines were not strong
and healthy-the main trunk as
large as his wrist, and loaded with
luscious fruit. This was what he
expected when he purchased the
vines; instead, he had bought his
grapes.
This sp-ing he set more, deter
mined they should grow. He dug
very deep holes for each, into
which he dumped a wheelbarrow
load OF dressing, set the vines, and
around each poured a washtub of
suds. Ii he had been remiss once,
he did not intend to be again. But
the vines were small, only two
years old, and did not need de-
luging nor two strong soil. shall
not be surprised if his success is no
better than heretofore.
! told him, as | tell everybody,
the best time for pruning vines is
November or February. | prefer
November. explained how es-
sential careful pruning became
after the vine had a good strong
start. If one would have his vine
yield fine fruit the pruning must
be done.
1t is best to train a young vine
from M main trunk to two main
branches, then cut back the lat
erals to one or to buds. Let the
two branches grow, but have no
branches nor branchlets from.
them. 1t may seem like a battle
with nature, but the surplus wood
must be cut away or il will detract
from the fruit. Ii is fruit not vine
that most growers are after.
Besides pruning, grapes need
sur. An eastern or southern ex-
posure is always best. They need
rich soil too, They are great feed
ers and readily assimilate the sort
of food they like. Perhaps moth
ing is better suited as a fertilizer
for grapes than bones, therefore
bury all bones you save at the foot
OF your Grape vines. On wash
days turn the suds on, and you
will have grapes unless your vines
are OF a very worthless stock.
am often asked the best varie-
ties and ! usually advise several.
Climate and conditions are TO be
considered, but the following are
reliable and will grow wherever
the Grape vine fourishes: Salem,
Wordon, Concord, Niagara, and
Isabella. Two each of these set
on al easthern slope should in a
few years give a nice supply of
grapes for the table.
Moore's Early and New Eaton
are highly recommended as early
grapes. have them but they are
just set, so | cannot speak from
experience.
One thing is sure, there is moth
ing easier to grow and do well
than the Grape under proper CON
ditIons, but do not set in the shade
or prune in April.