GRAPES IN MY VINEYARD. 235 



order to get a single plant worth propagation, that being about the 

 average since he has been at work. 



The everbearing strawberry which has been a joke in the past 

 is now a reality. 



GRAPES IX MY VINEYARD. 

 Henry Lai, Davenport, la. 



The name of the vineyard which a great and good horticultural 

 secretary has put into the title of this paper can scarcely be applied to 

 the little collection of about 120 vines consisting of about fitfy varie- 

 ties which are not cultivated with a view to pecuniary profit, but serve 

 as a hobby to a retired farmer. 



The chief object is not quantity but quality, large and shapely 

 bunches of choice grapes, suitable as presents to friends near and 

 far. 



To attain this object vines should have a sunny and sheltered 

 location, they need all the heat and sunshine which the climate of 

 Iowa can furnish, a warm mellow and well drained soil and careful and 

 Judicious pruning. Late or delicate sorts do best on east or south 

 wall of a building. 



Then new bearing canes raised for next year's crop should be 

 trimmed along the top of the trellis; they require sunshine to produce 

 good fruit buds, no sunshine, no bloom. Vines should not be allowed to 

 overbear, the bloom should be trimmed out to what the vines are 

 tihle to ripen in an average season. 



Even ea:'iv kinds like the lona, Brighton, and Jewell will not 

 ripen their fruit if the vines are overloaded and will also fail to make 

 good ripe bearing wood for the next season. 



There is quite a variation in the behaviour of different seasons, 

 soils and locations. The flavor, color and even the size of the indi- 

 vidual berries are variable. Some sorts are not good until overripe 

 others have their best flavor before complete maturity like Brighton, 

 Amber Queen Goethe and Herbert. 



To make sure of unblemished bunches they ought to be put in 

 paper sacks early enough to be a protection against disease and: 

 worms and to prevent the birds from tearing them up later. There 

 are some seasons when they do not touch them at all while at others- 

 they will not leave a bunch untouched. 1 cover only the flner bunches, 

 beginning with Brilliant, Jefferson, lona, Catawba and Lady Wash- 

 ington these being the kinds most susceptible to disease. 



From 1.500 to 2,000 sacks were used every summer mostly one- 

 half pQund sacks; it takes a very large bunch to require a two pound 

 sack. 



There is one drawback to this business. Those heavy rains 

 following a drouth about the time of ripening, some thin skinned 



