CONDITIONS OP SUCCESS IN GRAPE CULTURE. BY PETER H. BIEAD. 



23 



I have here something that is new to nearly every one of you 

 Very few of these have been producert in this country, and none for 

 «ale until last season. In spe:il;iiis of the last I mentioned that its 

 ability to hear was greatly lessened by its being moved from the 

 ground. To avoid that check this one has been grown in a lattice-box 

 or crate, so that a sufficiency of soil may be moved with it without 

 bein? distuibed. This j'ou will see by tlie size of the canes, and by 

 the number, appearance, and equal distribution of its secondary roots, 

 l)rotriidin:; on all sides from the box, is a layer of best quality. It is 

 called a " box layer," or a " covered layer," in distinction from one 

 taken from the soil like that previously shown which is called a " nude 

 layer. Vines like this receive no perceptible check by transplanting 

 and transportation, and give fine crops the first season, maintaining 

 their ad .'ance over other kinds long enough to pay for their excess of 

 cost, by their excess of produce. Such vines will cover a trellis with 

 their beautiful shade the first season, and give at once the air of com- 

 plete establishment, instead of raw newness, which detracts largely 

 from the enjoyment of new places. 



This vine is a present to me, and I need not say that I prize it more 

 tliau I should six from single eyes of the best selection. It is an lona. 



In answer to the question, as to whether vines from single eyes are 

 better than those from cuttings, the lecturer stated that they were, 

 and that the superiority was easily demonstrable to the understanditig 

 of cultivators, but would occupy too much time for the present. A 

 vineyard from single eyes, best selection, would give better results at 

 fiur ye:irs from planting than one from cuttings at seven, and in point 

 of durability there was no comparison. 



Tiie propagation of hardy vines from' single eyes for open ground is 

 an Americanism, and the feasibility and great advantage of it, in a 

 large way, were first demonstrated at lona Island. 



In answer to the question. Are not hardy vines made tender by be- 

 ing propagated under glass? the lecturer said, by no means ; but, on 

 the contrary, with the proper appliances, the habituated propagator is 

 thus enabled to command all of the conditions of success, which, in the 

 hands of attentive skill, result in the production of perfect plants, such 

 as I now exhibit to you. 



Observe, not merely the quantity of roots, primary and secondary, 

 with their innumerable rootlets, like a thick head of hair, but their 

 uniform distribution, with their wiry hardness and strength. Try the 

 soli lity of the wood by cutting with a sharp knife, and its weight by 

 seeing it sink in water ; note the smallness of the pith, the fullness of 

 the buds, the nearness of the joints, and the ripeness of the wood, even 

 to the extremity. 



The great superiority of such plants has been too often demonstrated 

 by trial to leave any doubt in the mind of the most skeptical. They 

 are not forced but judiciously treated for the benefit of purchasers. 



I must be careful not to be misunderstood in regard to the produc- 

 tion of vines under glass. I would not have it infeiTed that, because 

 the best vines may be produced under glass, and by the ai4 of houses, 

 none but the best are so produced. The very poorest have been 

 go produced, and, doubtless, will continue to be, if the call of pur- 

 chasers is for very cheap rather than for very good vines. The condi- 

 tions of goodness and cheapness are it^ direct opposition, and pur- 

 chasers will control the matter. 



The art of propagation, when skillfully practiced, is one of exceed- 

 ing nicety, and requires fine perceptive powers, thoroughly trained. 



Vines produced in this way are necessarily expensive ; such as I 

 now show you can not have cost the propagator less than one dollar 

 each. Those may be considered as of the best possible quality. I have 

 nerer seen better. They are marked " best selection." Here are vines 

 of another quality, much below the first, but still excellent. They are 

 marked " No. 1," and may, perhaps, be produced at half the cost of 

 the first. There is a class between them in development and value, 

 called " extra." And here is No. 2 and No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5. These 

 different grades it is not very difficult to determine ; but to fix their real 

 value, as it will be determined by their productiveness and the qual- 

 ify of the fruit borne by each grade, in garden and vineyard, and to 

 exhibit, the whole matter clearly, would require your patient attention 

 for liai. an hour. I can give you the result^n few words, on the side 

 of safety. For the garden, plant, if single eyes, the best that can be 

 obtained, .and of layers the best, or none. For the vineyard, plant none 

 of lower grad- thin the No. 2, which I show you, and far better none 



below No. 1. The most that have been planted have been below Noa 

 4 or 5, which I now exhibit. Good vineyards maybe made of all tliese 

 grades, but to the best cultivator in the world who buys the vines It 

 will cost more to make a vineyard of the inferior grades than of the 

 higher, and the vineyard can not be so good of the former as of the 

 latter, and much time will be lost. I did not Intend to estimate the 

 ilifTcrence in value between vines of moderate and those of eK,elle*it 

 quality. A part of the difference will be one year later in bearing. 

 This amounts to the net value of the crop for one year after full es- 

 tablishment in bearing, added to the cost of attendance and Interest 

 of the investment one year. Shall we put the sum at one dollar? 

 which is too low. This presents the case fairly in its true aspect. 



But very few who plant yineyards are of the very best class of cul- 

 tivators, and to these the difference will be greater ; and for such to 

 buy the lower grade of vines will be the most mistaken effort at 

 economy. 



It is only good vineyards that are both pleasant and profitable, and 

 such I desire to see always. 



An excellent vineyard of one acre of the best varieties may be looked 

 to confidently for a more valuable crop than the average of four acres 

 of che.ap vines, in ground moderately prepared and rather negligently 

 attended. One acre of first-rate vineyard is a handsome and valuable 

 possession. A trellis of one hundred vines, in best condition, will, un- 

 failingly, furnish more enjoyment for a family than can be obtained 

 from an equal expenditure of means and attention in any other way. 



It is well often to glance at the pecuniary value of even our most 

 delightful things. A trellis of one hundred vines, trained accoriiing to 

 the best method, will yield from one thousand to fifteen liundred 

 pounds. 



The best Delaware grapes liave brought, the past season, sixty ccnta 

 a pound. For years they may be expected to range from twenty to 

 fifty cents a pound, according to quality. The. best may be expected 

 to command fifty cents. One half the produce of the trellis would 

 afford a tolerable family supply, (not such as I intend for my family,) 

 and the sale of the other half would pay for the entire attention of a 

 well-kept garden. 



If those who desire to obtain vines will acquire the information 

 which they should have, in order to enter upon the course understand 

 ingly and safely, producers of vines will, per force of circumstances, 

 be compelled to furnish good ones, for they Nvill find sale for no others. 

 My object in this lecture, chiefly, is to furnish such information ; and 

 if I could speak to all who are about to obtain vines, with my living 

 voice, and could demonstrate the true course of proceeding, by the ex- 

 hibition of the realities of the case, as has just been done, few tliat are 

 cap.able of comprehending any subject fully would go wrong in this, 

 which is not only deeply interesting but commends itself to ^vell-in- 

 formed common-sense at every step. 



The production of good plants is the first step toward obtaining 

 grapes, and the second, obtaining good vines in perfect order ; but 

 these steps, however well taken, are not, of themselves, sufficient to 

 secure the accomplishment of its whole course. 



After the vines have been obtained, two other steps, of equal im- 

 portance, are to be m.ade before the goal can be reached ; the firgt of 

 which is, the proper planting of the vines in suitably prepared soil ; 

 and tlie next is proper cultivation and training. 



When these operations are unskillfully performed, the best plants 

 often prove to be but little better than the poorest in their results, 

 which is utter failure. These operations will be treated in subsequent 

 lectures. 



The whole lecture was very interesting, and presented the important 

 facts more clearly than has ever before l)een done. I have permission 

 to transcribe it all, but have not room for more. 



Importance of Training. 



Tr.ilnlng is indispensable in a threefold relation. The vines can not 

 remain productive without having it judiciously performed. 'Without 

 it they soon become unliealthy, as well as uncontrolable. 



Without a good system of training, the fruit not only fails to ripen 

 early but it never acquires its full degree of spirit and rich refiresbing 

 flavor. 



