HARDY GRAPES. 



HT the meeting of the Massachu- 

 setts Horticultural Society, for 

 discussion, Dr. Jabez Fisher 

 of Fitchburg read a paper on 

 " Hardy Grapes," of which the following 

 is a summary : 



Dr. Fisher purchased his first grape 

 vine, a Concord, forty years ago. His 

 first stimulating success was in 1865, 

 when, with a dry, favorable season, the 

 crop was enormous — four and a half 

 tons upon three-fourths of an acre — 

 which were well ripened and brought a 

 high price ; but he has never been able 

 to equal this again. Since 1871 large 

 crops have generally, though not always, 

 alternated with small, but through judi- 

 cious thinning the quality has been satis- 

 factory. In his whole experience there 

 have been three total failures — in i860, 

 1875 and 1888. 



In considering the outlook for the 

 future, Dr. Fisher said that the expedi- 

 ency of any person's taking up grape- 

 growmg depended on circumstances. 

 He would not advise a novice to start in 

 the business, but if a person has a vine- 

 yard well situated and in good condition, 

 he thought it wise to attempt growing 

 the best possible quality of product. 



To attain the quality that commands 

 the highest price calls only for a few 

 conditions, but they are imperative and 

 as important to the amateur with his few 

 vines as to the extensive cultivator. 

 His experience, coupled with extensive 

 observation, had taught him that the 

 best soil is a strong one, inclining to 

 clay, but not too heavy, and well drained, 

 either naturally or artificially. A gentle 

 southern or south-eastern slope, near to 

 but not on the summit of elevated land, 

 is desirable. Shelter of land, buildings 

 or trees is useful. No especial prepara- 

 tion of the soil is necessary. A field in 



fit condition for corn is also suitable for 

 grapevines. Two-year-old plants, if they 

 have been transplanted at one year and 

 the roots shortened in, may be best, but 

 otherwise he would choose one-year-olds. 

 Spring is the preferable time for planting, 

 and the earlier the better, provided that 

 the soil is friable. Cultivation should 

 take place as soon after every packing 

 rain as the surface will work mellow. 

 No training is necessary the first year, 

 as soon as the leaves fall the vines should 

 be cut down, leaving two or three buds 

 only. 



The second year a temporary stake 

 should be used to support the growing 

 vine which needs no other training and 

 no pruning, except that a single cane 

 only is allowed to grow. The autumn 

 pruning is like that of the first year. 



At the beginning of the third season a 

 permanent support should be provided, 

 according to the system of training that 

 is to be adopted, whether trellis, stakes 

 or otherwise. The object in view dur- 

 ing the season is to grow from this cane 

 for fruitage the subsequent year. When 

 the length of six feet is attained this cane 

 should be stopped by pinching off the 

 point. All laterals that grow from this 

 cane should be pinched . so close that 

 they may not divert growth from it, but 

 otherwise there should be full freedom 

 of development. If the growth should 

 be satisfactory, i. e., if it makes a cane 

 from five to six-sixteenths of an inch in 

 diameter, it will be safe to allow it to 

 fruit for half its length, and it should be 

 cut back to that point at the fall prun- 

 ing. If less vigorous, the whole should 

 be cut away as in previous years. No- 

 thing so injures a young vine as to allow 

 it to carry a crop of fruit beyond its 

 capacity ; it is like putting a boy of fifteen 

 or sixteen to perform a man's labor. 



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