The Canadian Horticulturist. 



COMMERCIAL GRAPE GROWING. 



RAPE growing is no exception to the rule that every indus- 

 \llf^^ A ^^y' ^^ ^^ develops, is continually changing. If it is profit- 

 able, strong competition comes in, and then new and 

 cheaper methods must be adopted. A few years ago 

 grapes were grown in many sections and shipped to market 

 ' )y without any particular system. This haphazard practice 



is still carried on in some localities, but at no profit to the producer. In 1890 

 grapes netted the grower 24c. per 8-lb. basket. In 1894 i2)^c. per basket was 

 the average, and future prices will, in all probability, b? even lower. It is, 

 therefore, essential that perfect system and close attention to details be observed, 

 otherwise the business will be a losing one. A vineyard must be located on 

 high ground, free from spring frost, or a single night may destroy a year's pros- 

 pects. The soil must be productive, or the yield will not be sufficient to pay 

 expenses. On poor, sandy soils, barnyard manure has been used with good 

 results, especially when applied in connection with wood ashes. Let the sys- 

 tem of pruning and training be the simplest and most inexpensive. Other fruits 

 are self-supportmg ; but the grape must have its trellis, which, even with cheap 

 wire and posts, is the most costly item in the vineyard. The old plan of spur 

 pruning must be abandoned. It leaves too much wood, and the fruit is a mass 

 of imperfect clusters, which frequently fail to ripen properly. The Kniffen sys- 

 tem, of four horizontal canes of the previous year's growth, has proved the most 

 successful and is being universally adopted. Under this system the clusters are 

 of good size and seldom fail to ripen pcoperly. Pruning can be done more 

 rapidly, workmen " catch on " to this method more readily and are less likely to 

 destroy the usefulness of a vine by carelessness. 



Regular and systematic cultivation is most essential to success. During 

 spring and early summer, if a spell of wet weather comes on, the vines must be 

 sprayed with Bordeaux mixture to prevent rot and anthracnose. It is always a 

 good plan to spray before the buds start in spring, as this prevents mischief later 

 on. To. start a vineyard new, each acre will require the following expendi- 

 ture : — 



600 vines, set 8 x 9 feet $6 00 



Plowing, fitting and setting 6 00 



Cultivating and hoeing, ist year 5 00 



Pruning (cutting back to 2 buds) 50 



Cultivating and hoeing, 2nd year 7 50 



Pruning to one cane (3 to 5 feet long) i 00 



300 posts 15 00 



350 lbs. wire (No. 11) 7 00 



Setting posts, wiring and tying 12 00 



Cultivation and hoeing, 3rd year 10 00 



$70 00 



