132$ Tin-: FRUIT INDUSTRY ix XEW YORK STATE 



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At the present time a large amount of energy is being devoted 



by the experiment stations and by interested individuals to the 

 propagation of new varieties, and we can reasonably look for 

 something good to be developed in the near future. 



CULTURAL METHODS 



Very little change has been made in the methods of cultiva- 

 tion of the grape since it was first' grown here. We have many 

 methods, but they are too numerous to detail, and they represent 

 individual experience rather than any established standard. There 

 are a few conditions, however, that have to be met by all, such as 

 plowing away in spring, or using a disk, which amounts to the 

 same thing. The question of how early or how late this operation 

 should begin is a disputed point. The writer does not believe in 

 too early cultivation. Later in the season, however, the better 

 the cultivation, the better the results. The time to cease working 

 the ground is another disputed point. To the careful observer 

 who has had years to study, these two conclusions seem to be fairly 

 proved. The first is that in a wet season late cultivation has 

 been found detrimental to the developing of good, sweet fruit. 

 The second is that in a dry season late cultivation may be of 

 benefit ; if very dry, it may prove a great benefit. As the grower 

 cannot know what the future has in store, the best growers have 

 a rule they follow year after year; the large majority cease all 

 soil work the last of July or very early in August, believing that 

 more injury is done in wet seasons than benefits are gained in dry 

 ones by a later working of the soil. 



A few years ago the cover crop was a thing almost unknown ; 

 it is now slowly being adopted throughout the belt. Its useful- 

 ness is accepted by all, the disputed point merely being the kind 

 of a cover crop and how it may be best handled. The writer 

 favors oats or barley, first, because the seed cost is light, about one 

 bushel of either to the acre being sufficient; secondly, because 

 either makes sufficient growth to catch all the leaves from the 

 grape vines an important factor ; thirdly, they endure a rather 

 hard freeze and remain standing, thereby holding the snow well ; 

 fourthly, they do not grow in spring. The last I believe is their 

 strongest point. They form a cover to the land when they die 



