CHAPTER XII 

 GRAPES, STRAWBERRIES, AND BUSH FRUITS 



Grapes. Although grapes may be grown on favored 

 sites in many parts of the United States, there are only a 

 few sections of the country where their production has 

 developed into a leading industry. The Northeastern 

 States and the Pacific States are the two most important 

 grape-growing sections. Most of the leading commercial 

 varieties of the Northeastern States are of the native 

 species. West of the Rocky Mountains varieties of the 

 European species are chiefly grown. 



Propagation. --The grape is generally propagated from 

 either hardwood cuttings or layers. In California, Euro- 

 pean varieties are often grafted upon American roots. 

 One-year or two-year-old plants from cuttings are used for 

 setting the vineyard. Where only a few plants are desired, 

 layering is the simplest and easiest method of producing 

 new plants. 



Soil and Cultural Methods. Grapes demand a long 

 season for the development of the crop. The vines blossom 

 early in the spring and the fruit ripens comparatively late 

 in the fall. Hence, it is desirable to select a piece of land 

 for the vineyard that has sufficient slope to provide good 

 air and soil drainage and that is subject to neither late frosts 

 nor early freezes. For these reasons, a sloping site exposed 

 to the south and east is preferred. In sections bordering 

 large bodies of water that exercise a moderating influence 



319 



