The Culth'ut'toit of the Graj:' 



at first, take one off afterward, drive a stake six or seven feet long, firmly 

 to each plant, locust or cedar is preferred, but oak or black walnut, char- 

 red at the end and driven into the earth will last nearly as long. Keep 

 the young vine tied neatly to the stake with rye or wheat straw ; pick off 

 all suckers, and let but one stalk or cane grow. The second spring after 

 planting, cut down to two or three eyes, and the third year to four or five ; 

 pinching of laterals, tyii^g up, and hoeing the vines as usual ; the third 

 year the vines will produce a few grapes : train two canes to the stake this 

 year, and take off the lateral shoots. The vines should be pruned in the 

 autumn after the fall of the leaf 



"Pruning the fourth year requires good judgment, as the standard stalk 

 or stem is to be established. Select the best shoot or cane of last year's 

 growth, cut it down to six or eight joints and fasten it to the adjoining 

 stake, at the top, in a horizontal position, or bend it over in the form of a 

 hook or bow and tie it to its own .stake. The ties this year should be of 

 willow, this is the bearing wood. The other cane cut down to a spur of 

 two or three eyes is to form the bearing wood of the next year. Give the 

 shoot, the first year, ties of straw only ; then give the bearing shoot a tie 

 on the stake nine inches from the ground, and another tie nine inches 

 above, then bow it over to the neigboring stake in a horizontal position, 

 and give it the third tie at the top of the stake near the extremity of the 

 vine. In the succeeding and all subsequent years cut away all the old 

 bearing wood, and fqrm the new bow or arch from the bes-t branch of the 

 new wood of the past year, leaving a spur as before to produce bearing 

 wood for the coming year, thus keeping the old stalk of the vine down to 

 from one to two feet of the ground, the vine is then always within reach 

 and control, and one man can cultivate as many vines, planted in this 

 manner, as three men can planted on a trellis." 



The uses of the grape independent of wine making are numerous, they 

 can be preserved or dried, and for the dessert there is perhaps no fruit so 

 acceptable or so much in general use. They are one of the most healthy 

 fruits in existence, and are often used for their medicinal quahties alone. 

 They impart an agreeable zest to the appetite, and are a good tonic medi- 

 cine in some cases of disease. Physicians have even recommended tlieir 

 use. In view of every consideration therefore, we say to all cultivators of 

 the soil : Plant the A'ine ! Plant freely and without stint, and 3-our chil- 

 dren, and youi* children's children wiU rise up and call you blessed. — 

 Plant for yourselves not only, but for posterity. 



