116 AMERICAN" GRAPE GROWIKG 



But while Tve have methods to jDrotect even the most 

 tender in winter, by a little extra labor, I know of no 

 generally effective means of protection against early frosts 

 in fall and late frosts in spring. We should, therefore, 

 avoid all locations subject to these, which are generally 

 those near small streams, creeks, and rivulets, while 

 locations on the large rivers, and on the high table lands, 

 are generally free from them, and have, in fact, a season 

 of a month earlier in spring, and a month later in fall, 

 free from frosts. This is certainly very important to the 

 grape-grower, and he should look to it closely before 

 choosing his location. It is sad and disheartening to see 

 the fair promise of early spring browned, wilted, and 

 blighted by a single night's frost. But if it does occur, 

 as it sometimes will, even in the best locations, do not 

 become altogether discouraged. Every bud on the vine 

 is, in fact, a triple one. The main fruit bud in the center 

 will generally start first, and if this is destroyed, the two 

 secondary buds will often push, and although they will 

 not produce so many or as large bunches, will often yield 

 a pretty fair crop. 



But the vines are threatened with the same danger in 

 fall in these unfavorable locations ; to have one's grapes 

 and the still growing canes withered by an early frost in 

 fall, when just ripening, and fit for nothing but vinegar, 

 is a sad disappointment. Therefore look well to this, 

 and do not select an unfavorable location, when there is 

 an abundance of the best to be had. 



