New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 573 



6. From the data obtained in these experiments it is evident 

 that the fertilization of vineyards is so involved with other factors 

 that only long continued work will give reliable results. From 

 the work done, however, several suggestions may be made to 

 grape-growers : 



First, fertilizers can not be profitably applied in vineyards poorly 

 drained, suffering from winter freezes or spring frosts, or in which 

 fungi or insects are uncontrolled, or where good care is lacking. 



Second, it is probable that most vineyards have a one-sided 

 wear, there being few plantations indeed where more than one 

 or two of the elements of fertility are lacking. Nitrogen is probably 

 most frequently the element needed. Each grape-grower should try 

 to discover which of the food elements his particular soil needs, 

 if any. 



Third, maximum profits cannot be obtained in many vine- 

 yards of the Chautauqua Belt because of the lack of uniformity 

 in vineyard conditions. Grape-growers should strive by every 

 means possible to secure an equally vigorous and healthy growth 

 over the entire area cropped. 



Fourth, the steps to be taken in restoring a failing vineyard are, 

 in the usual order of importance, ist, give good drainage; 2d, 

 control insects and fungi; 3d, improve the tillage and general 

 care; 4th, apply such fertilizers as may be found lacking. 



INTRODUCTION. 



THE CHAUTAUQUA GRAPE BELT. 



The Chautauqua Grape Belt, the largest and most important 

 area in which native grapes are grown in America, consists of a 

 narrow strip of land along the southern shore of Lake Erie, varying 

 in width from two to five miles, extending from Derby, New York, 

 on the east, to Erie, Pennsylvania, on the west, approximately 

 sixty-five miles. The grape industry in this belt is about thirty- 

 five years old. Starting with small and scattered vineyards a 

 steady increase in acreage has followed until now nearly 40,000 

 acres are planted to grapes. The U. S. Census Bureau reports 

 12,930,000 grape vines in Chautauqua and Erie counties in 1899 

 and 16,924,000 in 1909, a thirty-per-ct. increase. 



