GRAPE CULTURE 



Director Edward R. Farrar, South Lincoln, Mass. 



[This paper was given at the Annual Meeting at Worcester 

 in 1914].. 



For the commercial growing of grapes it is necessary to 

 have a favorable location where the late spring or early fall 

 frosts are not likely to destroy the crop. Cold air settles on 

 the lower levels, something as water does, this being referred 

 to as frost drainage, so that an elevated hill slope is best for 

 grapes. If there is a body of water at the foot of the hill, 

 so much the better, as the air moving down over the water is 

 warmed, and rises, giving a current of air which will occa- 

 sionally save a crop. Some of the more successful grape 

 sections of New York take an advantage of this, and are lo- 

 cated on the border of the larger lakes. 



The slope and character of the soil should be such as 

 will ripen the fruit early, as the price drops very materially 

 when the New York or western grapes come into the market, 

 making it difficult to dispose of our crop at a profit. 



Wind-breaks, protecting the vineyard from the strong 

 prevailing winds, are a help. Injury of the young leaves by 

 the high winds cracks the outer tissues, interfering with the 

 flow of sap, and gives favorable conditions for the entrance 

 and growth of fungus diseases. The vines do not do as well, 

 or spread as evenly, over the trellis, when blown about by 

 the wind. 

 SOILS. 



Grapes prefer a light, friable soil, one similar to what 

 Mr. Wilder refers to as a "baldwin soil." 



In one of the New York bulletins Mr. Dorsey says : — 

 "The grape is no more exacting, as to soil requirements. 



