286 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



PRACTICAL GRAPE GROWING. 



BY J. C. KINDER, NEVADA, MO. 



It is with some hesitation I undertake to give opinions on this sub- 

 ject* when aware that before me are veterans in grape growing who can 

 give ojoinions backed up by a much greated experience and knowledge 

 of the business. But, if by giving wrong opinions I thereby call atten- 

 tion to the matter and call out a correction, my cfifoit will not be an 

 injury. 



In heading my article "Practical Grape Growing," I had an object, 

 because we receive so much instruction nowadays that if taken literally 

 is not practical, so much so that I think much of it acts more as a dis- 

 couragement to horticulture than a help. Men argue that if it requires 

 so very much attention and labor to accomplish certain results, they do 

 not care to attempt it. Who has not seen the stereotyped illustrations 

 in catalogues and in books on fruit growing, etc., of how to train the 

 vine.'' Have you not noticed how nicely the vine forked just the right dis- 

 tance from the ground, one side branch extending just so far to the right, 

 the other to the left, how at equal distance along these branches a lat- 

 eral containing just three bunches, all just the same size, and extending 

 just far enough up to be tied to the next slat of the trellis.' I ask who 

 has not seen just such a picture, and yet who ever saw a vineyard trained 

 that way.-* Not, but if one chose to train one that way it could be ac- 

 complished in great measure, but to get paid for it grapes would have to 

 sell for 25 cents per pound. I consider all such instructions as unpracti- 

 cal, and what hurts even worse, is unprofitable, and it is unnecessary. 

 Hence let us look for practical instruction in grape growing, which 

 means how to obtain the very best possible results from the care and la- 

 bor bestowed. 



The first thing to be taken into consideration by the grape grow- 

 er is 



