LITERARY AND HORTICULTURAL NOTICES. 



Jlfei^qi'l) i)i]D ifoHlci(i]i|l'i)l l(olIce3. 



The Culture of the Grape, and Wine Making. By R. Buchanan. Cincinnati. Second Edition. 



The most complete and reliable publication -sve have yet seen, on the subject of Vineyard 

 Culture, and Wine Making, in America. It is the fruit of largo experience, not only of the 

 author himself, but of many of the most intelligent and observing gentlemen around Cin- 

 cinnati, who are practically concerned in this culture. Wo commend it to all "who are 

 seeking information on the subject. 



From this work we take the following article by Dr. Mosher, a distinguished horticultu- 

 rist, and an experienced grape grower : 



"Vineyard Culture of the Grape — Spring and Summer Pruning. — As I think much experience 

 and observation are required to arrive at the best metliods, I sIkiU give only what has proved 

 most successful with me. My vines, or a portion of them, have been planted nine years; the 

 rows five feet apart, and the vines three feet distant in the rows. Roots, one year old from tlie 

 cuttings, were planted after being cut close down to the crown. The first year they were allowed 

 to grow without any other care than keeping the ground clear from weeds. The second spring, 

 early, the tops were all cut down to two eyes, and a stake driven to each vine, six or seven feet 

 long. One or two of the best shoots were allowed to grow, all others rubbed off. Tliese two 

 shoots, or canes as they are technically called, are tied up to the stakes when they have grown 

 eighteen or twenty inches in length, and should be kept tied from time to time, as tliey advance 

 in height through the second summer; little or no pruning will be required this season. 



"The third spring, I would cut these canes down to two eyes; although some of llie strongest 

 might bear fruit the third summer, it is much better to let them grow another year, and become 

 strong, before raising a crop. This season more attention is required, and they must be prepared 

 to bear a good crop the fourth summer. The two most thrifty shoots must be selected tlie third 

 spring and kept tied witli rye straw, or some other strong and suitable material, to the stakes, as 

 in the second summer. Tliis year I pinch off all the lateral or axillary branches between the 

 tlmmb and finger-nail before they become too large and woody — otherwise, if left too long, so as 

 to require the knife, the determination of sap in that direction is liable to force out the sleeping 

 eves, which should remain dormant till next year. These lateral shoots should be pinched off to 

 the lieight of four or five feet, or as high as is intended to prune the next spring; after that tbey 

 may be allowed to grow, as they check the extension of the main shoots. 



"The two canes of this year will be strong and vigorous and soon rise to the top of the stake?, 

 where they must always be strongly tied to prevent the effects of wind. About the first of Sep 

 tember, and not much before, the extremities arc pinched off to arrest their furtlier elongation and 

 growth — whereby the wood and buds become more perfectly matured. Tiiis finishes the work of 

 the vines for the third season. 



" We are now arrived at the fourth spring. The vines are old enough to bear a full crop, and 



we have two good thrifty canes ready for the knife ; the old strings by which thciy were secured 



to the stakes are cut, and the tendrils trimmed off. The cane that comes off highest from the 



chosen to bear the whole crop, and is cut off about four feet from the ground, havin 



ten eyes according to the length of the joints; the other cane, which is often equally 



