2o8 Grape -Culture. 



GRAPE-CULTURE. 



(Continued from the October Number ) 



In my last article, some of the evils resulting to the vine from over-bear- 

 ing were stated ; and, as I regard a full understanding of this subject as 

 most important, I will devote a portion of the present paper to its further 

 consideration. 



It has been shown that a vine under culture has it energies abnormally 

 directed to the production of fruit-buds ; and that, in this condition, all 

 productive varieties are disposed to form more fruit than the vine is able 

 to mature. The first and great object of the vineyard is perfect, well- 

 ripened fruit ; secondly, strong, well-matured wood for the next season's 

 bearing. Now, if the cultivated vine be permitted to bear all the fruit 

 which forms in the spring, as a general rule, neither of the above objects 

 will be attained. 



From a somewhat extended observation of Catawba vineyards in that 

 favored region about Sandusky and the adjoining islands, it seems evident 

 that many of the ills to which the Catawba grape is subjected are greatly 

 aggravated, if they are not caused, by over-bearing. In newly-planted vine- 

 yards, especially in their first bearing-year, rot or mild(lK' rarely appears. 

 If the vines are vigorous and healthy, and the first crop has been a mod- 

 erate one, the second bearing is usually healthy also. But, if the second 

 crop is too heavy, the fruit will, in consequence, be more or less immature, 

 and the wood imperfectly ripened ; and the succeeding year the vineyard 

 is in condition to invite attacks of rot and mildew, and failure to greater 

 or less extent is pretty sure to follow. Though these observations are 

 made upon the Catawba, they are equally applicable to other varieties ; for 

 while some kinds, like Concord, Hartford, or Ives, by reason of their greater 

 vigor and hardiness of constitution, may be less affected, others more deli- 

 cate, such as Allen's Hybrid, lona, or Diana, would probably suffer to a 

 greater extent. 



Healthy, well-developed, and abundant foliage is absolutely necessary 

 to the perfect ripening of the present crop, as well as to the formation of 

 perfect wood and fruit-buds for the succeeding year ; and he who so studies 



