MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 129 



several reasons, one of which is that the season favorable to ripening is too 

 short, while the growing season is too long. 



Peronospora viticola has for many years been recognized by our grape grow- 

 ers as the scourge of the grape vines of tliis country, and tiie finer varieties 

 cannot be generally grown on account of their liability to its attack. The 

 lona, Delaware, Walter, and other such varieties can be profitably cultivated 

 only in a few localities on this account. We have, therefore to be content 

 with isuch inferior kinds as the Concord, Hartford Prolific, Ives, etc., because 

 of their comparative freedom from the fungus. 



The causes by which a grape vine may be enfeebled are so various, the spe- 

 cial cause operating in a particular case is often difiBcult to determine, but a 

 knowledge of the conditions best adapted to successful culture may become 

 known by close and continued investigation. We may not be able to combine 

 all the conditions necessary to profitable grape growing, since we cannot con- 

 trol the elements, or materially improve the soil when it is unsuitable, still 

 with careful cultivation a moderate degree of success [is often attained, even 

 under conditions not entirely favorable. 



We can fertilize a poor soil, and by drainage improve stiff clays. By a per- 

 sistent use of night-lamps and tarred paper properly arranged, thrips may be 

 destroyed, and their propagation retarded by securing a free circulation of air 

 among the vines. By pinching leaf buds and thinning out the fruit to a rea- 

 sonable extent, the latter may be brought to a higher state of development, 

 and a larger growth. Over-bearing will always lower the market value of the 

 product. 



Sand, gravel or shale, or rising hilly ground are better adapted for grape 

 culture if well drained, than low, rich or marshy land, or heavy undrained 

 clay, and can be more uniformly relied on to give successful results. Such 

 shelter as will retard or prevent the formation of mildew is highly beneficial, 

 but the climatic conditions seem of the highest importance in grape culture. 

 A mild winter and an early spring with moderate spring rains, followed by a 

 warm dry summer, will generally produce good crops of grapes, even under 

 ordinary soil conditions. 



It is the opinion of experienced vineyardists, that the most suitable grape 

 growing regions of the United States will be found in elevated situations, and 

 on hill and mountain slopes above the dew line, provided the general climatic 

 conditions are favorable as regards temperature and moisture. In such situa- 

 tions the composition of the ^il is of less consequence than it is on low un- 

 drained lands, while in the valleys even with artificial drainage the vine roots 

 are more apt to be subjected to undue root stimulation from continued expo- 

 sure to damp soil and unsuitable surface water. 



Under the latter condition, the vines may grow vigorously through the 

 spring, summer and fall. In fact the continuous tendency to grow to new 

 wood and foliage, is one of the principal causes of the frequent failures to 

 ripen observed in grape culture in lowlands and damp valleys.' Artificial moist 

 stimulants applied to the roots after the fruit is well formed, deprives the lat- 

 ter of concentrated food stored up in its branches during the spring and sum- 

 mer, as well as of the xn'evious fall growth of the preceding year, since it will 

 divest the vitality of the vines to the production of new wood. Every one is 

 familiar with the fact that fruit trees which over-bear one year will commonly 

 fail to bear the next season. When the plant or tree is exhausted from over- 

 production it requires a year's rest to recuperate. It is the experience of cran- 

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