GRAPE MANUAL. 



63 



For those who desire to grow fine grapes for 

 table use, or for exhibition, 



SACKING OR THE BAG METHOD OF PROTECTING 

 GRAPES 



should be mentioned. Common manilla paper 

 bags, as used by grocers, about 6 inches wide and 

 9 inches deep, are put over the bunches before 

 they are half grown, and are fastened by two 

 pins. They should also have a small slit in the 

 bottom, to let water run through it. The cost of 

 bags, pins and labor is about i a cent per bag, 

 and is well repaid by the result. Others found a 

 better protection from insects, birds and diseases, 

 in covering each bunch of grapes with a bag 

 made of cheap crossbar mosquito netting. This 

 kind of bag is slipped over the bunch and tied 

 around the stem with a string; it interferes less 

 with the natural coloring and perfect ripening of 

 the fruit. In France a specially prepared net- 

 bag is made for this purpose, which is stronger 

 than mosquito net, keeps its shape better, and is 

 far more durable — sufficiently open to admit air 

 and partial sunlight, affording perfect protection 

 against birds, and with all other advantages, 

 which paper bags eould have, without their ob- 

 jections. We used both and found them ex- 

 cellent where fine grapes are appreciated. 



Sacking, says our friend Samuel 3IiUe)\ seems 

 a sure prevention against rot and mildew, also 

 against insects and birds; this is also a way to 

 prolong the season. In paper sacks grapes will 

 remain sound and fresh on the vines until several 

 degrees of frost has occurred. Further: to secure 

 the grapes from birds and insects, sacking is the 

 only good plan; but the rot can be kept on, I be- 

 lieve, by simply covering the bunches on top by 

 CANOPIES. Take a piece of pretty strong paper, 

 cut out a circle according to the size of the 

 bunches to be covered; cut out a triangle and 

 pin its edge lapping over the other, so that it will 

 have the shape of an umbrella. Tie the part 

 around the stem and pin fast. I tried this plan 



and found the fruit so protected, perfect, while 

 all around the fruit left exposed rotted. 



J. >S'. iV^eiOTHan, Vice-President American Pomol. 

 Society for Alabama, says : "I tested the value of 

 paper sacks as a protection from rot. In every 

 case (some 7,000 sacks) it was a complete protec- 

 tion if the sacks were put on as soon as the grapes 

 set. The sacks are also a protection against birds 

 and insects, besides prolonging the season on 

 some varieties two to three weeks, thus enabling 

 us to sell for a better price." 



Jacob Rommell, the well-known originator of 

 Elvira, wrote us: "My success in bagging has 

 been gratifying; removing first or thinning out, 

 leaving but two best clusters lemain on each 

 shoot, having less to bag but getting larger clus- 

 ters. I find paper bagging the best protection ; 

 however, it must be done early in the season, say 

 just before blooming time. I have bagged some 

 at the right time, and such were free from rot and 

 very fine ; while I bagged some later, after bloom- 

 ing was over, which rotted badly in the bags. 

 This proved that the black rot is produced in the 

 early part of the season. There are many reportsi 

 of failure in spraying and paper-bagging against 

 black rot, which is undoubtedly due to not making 

 the application early enough. If we wish to con- 

 trol black rot it must be done early; later it has 

 but little or no effect. The work is so easy, most 

 any one can do it, and the expense is nominal 

 compared to the result : the production of fine, 

 large bunches, weighing one pound or more, with- 

 out any defect and with a beautiful bloom ; and be- 

 sides, the paper-bagged grapes will remain fresh, 

 in perfect condition longer after ripe, than grapes 

 not so protected. Such has been my experience, 

 and it desei'ves to be put into general practice." 



In conclusion, let us hear and take advice of one 

 of the best living authorities, P. J. Berckmans, of 

 Georgia, the President of the American Pomo- 

 logical Society, etc., who says: "Bagging grapes 

 we have found an indispensable adjunct to suc- 

 cessful grape-growing. This with a liberal use 

 of various fungicides as a spray has removed 

 many of the drawbacks heretofore existing." 



