WINTER MEETING. 277 



GRAPE GROWJNG IN THE MISSOURI VALLEY. 



The subject assigned is one by no means new, yet I feel unequal 

 to the task, embracing as it does a vast amount of detail that is neither 

 convenient nor proper to present in a short paper. Grape-growing as 

 an occupation of man is very ancient. It has claimed a part of his 

 time and talent through all changing scenes in the history of the 

 human race. 



The Missouri Valley poseesees many favorable features that the 

 grape demands. Of course we recognize the advantages imputed to 

 some other localities, such as the Chatanooga Grape Belt, northern and 

 western Texas and southern California, for the raisin grape, but to our 

 own surroundings let me call your attention. In point of favorable 

 location and rare adaptability of soil, I wish to emphasize the "loess" 

 formation along the Missouri river. This is a strip of country from six 

 to twelve miles wide, and contigious to it for a greater portion of its 

 length. The soil of this formation is in very many places fifty feet 

 deep and equally good all the way down. We hear much of Klon- 

 dyke, but what a fortune is here for the present and future generations ! 



If we except five or six counties in the southeast part of the State 

 we think Missoiari is the best all-around grape-growing section in the 

 Union, with a maximum quantity of five tons per acre. Nor will I 

 omit to notice my own state — the fair land of Kansas. On the maps 

 during my early school days was printed the " Great American Desert." 

 What a howling desolation we had pictured it in our minds' eye ! The 

 " desert " is gone, and in its stead the great commonwealth of Kansas 

 Its vintage may yet astonish the world and share the honors along 

 with its wheat, its corn and its cattle. 



But to be more specific in regard to grape ground, I will just say 

 that yonder hill, with a good drainage and an eastern exposure, is an 

 ideal location. Secure thrifty 1-year-old plants; plant in the early 

 spring on land prepared the previous year; place the plants in rows 

 eight feet apart ; also eight feet apart in the row. Every seventh row 

 should be eleven feet wide to facilitate driving through. Cultivate 

 well for two years, but allow no crop the first and second years. The 

 subsequent cultivation should be thorough, both to prevent weeds 

 and to overcome the eflTects of drouth. In no case should the soil be 

 allowed to crack; frequent and shallow cultivation is the remedy. If 

 defoliation occurs the crop will be seriously damaged. 



