266 STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Grape (xrowing. 



In Rowing grapes I prefer to have the land plowed in the fall or 

 «arly winter. Secure the plants in the fall and heel them in unless 

 sufiBciently close to a nursery so that they can readily be secured, at 

 any time they may be needed in the spring. The principal advantage 

 of securing in the fall and heeling in is that the planting can be done 

 much earlier in the spring. So far as is possible, early setting is best. 

 It is best for the grape plants to give them plenty of room so that the 

 cultivation and harvesting can be done most conveniently. 



Eight feet each way is sufiiciently close to plant. Make the place 

 for the vine three feet square. If considered necessary to mature, 

 work whatever fertilizer is used thoroughly in with the soil. I bury 

 bones and old boots and shoes beneath the grape vines, as they fur- 

 nish, to some extent, at least, materials needed for growth and matur- 

 ing of fruit. 



Give sufficient cultivation to keep the ground in good tilth, and 

 keep clear of weeds. 



Prune during the fall after the leaves drop off or any time during 

 the winter when the vines are not frozen. When the vines are set out, 

 trim back to two good buds, and with these start the vines, and then 

 prune severely each season in order to promote the growth of new 

 wood, and yet preserve a sufficient supply of the old. T do not like 

 to prune in the spring or summer. Do all this pruning while the 

 plants are dormant and before the sap starts in the spring. 



Train on wires; three are better than two. Have the end posts 

 well braced so that the wires can be drawn tight. 



I have the Concord, Martha, Niagara, Moore's Early and Delaware. 

 The latter rots but little, if any, here. 



I find it to be a decided advantage to spray at least three times 

 during the growing season. I am satisfied, from trying it the last 

 three years, that spraying is sufficiently beneficial to pay well for the 

 cost and trouble of using the Bordeaux mixture and spray pump to 

 apply. 



Of all the different varieties of fruit that can be grown on the 



farm, none can be grown more cheaply or as easily as the grape ; but 



they must have care and attention at the proper time if the most is 



made out of them. 



N. J. Shepherd, Eldon, Mo. 



