62 State Horticultural Society. 



tied lip to stakes and on up to the trellis wire as they get long enough, 

 taking care ndt to bundle them so as to hinder a free circulation ol the 

 air. 



S])raying is also a part of our work, but we did not care to discuss 

 it in this paper, preferring to give the spray pump men a chance, but as 

 we made our own outfit, which we believe is equal to any we have seen 

 in use, will say we are using the liquid Bordeaux mixture, spraying just 

 before the bloom and following after the grapes are set, but as to its 

 merits or demerits we are "undecided. 



In conclusion, I must say, anyone here not in the grape business, but 

 contemplating such a venture, should bear in mind that it takes work 

 without ceasing, winter and summer, and to spare the work spoils the 

 vine. 



METHODS WITH GRAPES. 



(By John Howe, Pacific, Mo.) 



"Methods With Grapes" is the subject assigned me. First, as to the 

 planting of grapevines : plant good one-year-old vines in early spring, in 

 rows eight feet apart, vines eight to ten feet apart in rows. When plant- 

 ing, prune the vines back to two buds and the roots to four or five inches. 

 Let only one vine grow the first year. This should be tied to a stake and 

 late in fall or early winter cut back to two feet if growth has been 

 strong. If not, cut back to two or three buds again. 



The second year the young vine should go on a two-wire trellis. 

 Have the lowest wire two feet from the ground, the others about four- 

 teen inches apart. Let only the two upper buds grow. I use the high 

 renewal system of pruning. At the end of the second year cut back the 

 two canes to about two feet. The third year another wire should be 

 added, making three wires. At this age, with proper care and cultiva- 

 tion, a good crop can be grown. The fourth year the vines should be 

 able to bear a full crop. Wlien pruning, do not leave too much wood for 

 fruiting, as the vines are easily ruined by overbearing. Two or three 

 canes, two to three feet long, according to variety, are sufficient. All 

 young growth from the bottom of the vine should be pulled off. Some 

 growers pinch back the fruit-bearing branches one or two leaves beyond 

 the last bunch, but I have never seen much benefit from it, so do not pinch 

 back any more. 



After the grapes are size of small peas is a good time to bag them. 

 This is the only way real fine fruit can be grown ; no need of spraying for 

 rot; birds and insects do not injure them; fruit is improved in quality 



