AND WINE MAKING. 



CHAPTER XXVIIL 



ON THE RIO GRANDE. 



CHARLES W. WILSON, LAREDO. 



The grape industry in this section is in a compara- 

 tively early stage of development as yet, although suffi- 

 cient progress has been made to establish its adaptability 

 to the soil, climate and seasons, and in the early ripen- 

 ing of the grape to give it precedence o any other 

 section of the United States. 



The varieties mostly grown are the Muscat of Alexan- 

 dria, Tokay, Black Morocco, Rose of Peru, Black Ham- 

 burg and Zinfindal. These are enumerated in the order 

 of the number of acres devoted to each, although the 

 Black Morocco is gaining in popularity as a profitable 

 shipping grape on account of its heavy yield. The 

 above-named grapes ripen in succession, from July I to 

 December 1. The Muscat is ready for market usually 

 about the middle of June, and some other varieties ma- 

 ture as early as the latter part of May. 



The vines show a prodigious growth, but irrigation is 

 necessary to their culture, as the summers are long and 

 dry. The water is raised from the Rio Grande river by 

 steam pumps. On account of the cheapness of coal and 

 wood, this proves to be an economical method of hand- 

 ling the water. No particular diseases of the vine have 

 been made manifest thus far. A small fly has attacked 

 isolated vines in places, causing the leaf to turn brown 

 and present a mottled appearance. The area of vine- 

 yards at this time aboat Laredo is about 175 acres, and 

 many more acres will be planted. 



The Thompson's Seedless grape has recently been in- 

 troduced, but has not reached bearing age yet. Much 



