EEPORTS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 387 



GRAPE CULTURE. 



[xVu essay read at the iSlovember meeting of the Lafayette County, 

 Missouri, Horticulture Society by Clias. Teubner.] 



The grape is one of the most delicious, healthful and productive 

 of fruits. It has been grown to yield over 500 bushels per acre. Al- 

 though it grows easily, yet the vine requires more attention and labor 

 than most other fruit, in order to grow it to perfection, hence it is not 

 so largely planted for family use as it deserves to be. 



LOCATION. 



The location should be elevated if possible and open, so as to re- 

 ceive plenty of sunshine and air. Eastern and southern exposures, or 

 slopes, are to be preferred, and when on a level, the soil should be 

 well drained. 



SOIL. 



The grapevine will thrive in any moderately rich, dry, porous soil, 

 such containing a large per cent, of sand being especially favorable. 

 Gravelly or stony soil, if underlaid with porous subsoil in also suita- 

 ble. Heavy or wet soils should be avoided, as grapes cannot endure 

 " wet feet." 



PLANTING. 



The soil should be thoroughly prepared by deep plowing and sub- 

 soiling, or spading. The holes shouLd be dug with a slant, on which 

 the roots are spread out, after being dipped in water, and then covered 

 with top soil, pressing it down moderately. The depth of planting 

 varies with the size of the vine, but one foot is considered enough and 

 even the largest, as very large vines can be inclined accordingly, and 

 the lower roots spread out horizontally, for the roots of the grape 

 naturally lie near the surface — they require warm feet as well as dry 

 ones. Strong one year vines are mostly used. The proper distance 



