EUROPEAN GRAPES IN EASTERN AMERICA 187 



mers too hot and dry for this grape. During the years the 

 Station vineyard of Viniferas has been in existence, there have 

 been stresses of all kinds of weather to which the variable 

 climate of New York is subject. Two winters have been ex- 

 ceedingly cold, killing peach and pear trees; one summer 

 gave the hottest weather and hottest day in twenty-five years ; 

 the vines have withstood two severe summer droughts and three 

 cold, wet summers. These test seasons have proved that Euro- 

 pean grapes will stand the climate of New York as well as the 

 native varieties except in the matter of cold ; they must have 

 winter protection. 



To growers of American grapes, the extra work of winter 

 protection seems to be an insuperable obstacle. The experience 

 of several seasons in New York shows that winter protection 

 is a cheap and simple matter. Two methods have been used ; 

 vines have been covered with earth and others have been 

 wrapped with straw. The earth covering is cheaper and more 

 efficient. The vines are pruned and placed full length on the 

 ground and covered with a few inches of earth. The cost of 

 winter protection will run from two to three cents a vine. 

 Since European vines are much more productive than those 

 of American grapes, the added cost of winter protection is 

 more than offset by the greater yield of grapes. Trellising, 

 also, is simpler and less expensive for the European grapes, 

 helping further to offset the cost of winter protection. 



Pruning. 



It is apparent at once that European grapes must have 

 special treatment in pruning if they are to be laid on the ground 

 aniuially. Several modifications of European and California 

 practices can be employed in the East to bring the plants in 

 condition for winter laying-down. All methods of pruning 

 must have this in common ; new wood must be brought up 

 from the base of the plant every year to permit bending the 



