No. 200.] 93 



JAMES EWBANK'S METHOD OF CULTIVATING ISABEL- 

 LA GRAPES. 



Flushing, Nov. 24lh, 1845. 

 I plant my vines in an ordinary soil, and pay but little attention to 

 the ground culture. 



My vines are planted against a house, and have a southern exposure, 

 the building protecting them from the northeast and northwest storms. 

 For several years past I have had abundant crops of well-ripened 

 fruit, and from observation am inclined to think that the fertility of 

 my vines is attributable to position more than character of the soil ; 

 and above all to the high training, which is some twenty feet upright, 

 and then horizontally over an arbor, which gives the vine a free circu- 

 lation of air and light. I have noticed that all vines yield better the 

 farther the fruit spears are from the roots, if due attention is paid to 

 elevating the vine, so that light and air have free access beneath, I in- 

 variably prune later than is the custom of my neighbors, and not until 

 the sap runs freely, say in March, or according to the condition of the 

 season. 



I am of opinion that the grape should be trained high as possi- 

 ble in an upright position, say twenty feet, and then horizontally to- 

 wards the south, and no fruit be permitted to grow upon the upright 

 part of the vine. The greater height the vine has when in full foliage, 

 the better the prospect of a full crop. By this process my grapes ripen 

 simultaneously and uniformly. I am inclined to think, that greater 

 attention to ground culture would add much to the size of my fruit, 

 without aflfecting the other excellent qualities of my vines. 



JAMES EWBANK. 



WM. A. SWAIN'S METHOD OF CULTIVATING ISABELLA 



GRAPES. 



The natural soil way, a clay loam, very shallow, but made 2\ feet 

 deep, by trenching and adding good stable manure. Each vine has 

 a space of about 4 feet each way, which has the best of tillage during 

 the summer, being highly manured and kept fine and clean. 



The vines were put in their place 3 years ago last fall, about one- 

 half were from cuttings put out the previous spring in a rich compost. 



