102 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the skilful cultivation of seedlings, and valuable hybrids have 

 been produced combining the hardiness of the native vine with 

 the fine flavors peculiar to the foreign fruit. 



Having been successful in raising in Bangor the diiTerent kinds 

 of grapes, it will be the endeavor and object of this paper to detail 

 briefly my method of grape culture, and the results of my experi- 

 ence. 



The premises contain about three-fourths of an acre, with build- 

 ings on the northeasterly side, affording shelter. The streets on 

 three sides are graded, so that they are about ten feet below the 

 surface of the lot and with the cellars provide drainage. 



The soil is a warm, dry, friable, light and sandy loam, with a 

 porous subsoil underlaid by a ledge. Such a soil is best adapted 

 to the grape, though it will flourish in good warm corn land. If 

 the subsoil is not naturally dry, underdraining is indispensable. 



The vines on the walls of the buildings and elsewhere in open 

 culture, have a southwesterly exposure, and the buildings and 

 trees in the vicinity give stielter. It is desirable not only that 

 they should be exposed to the sun from morning to evening, but 

 also that they be protected from the prevailing winds, to induce 

 earlj' ripening of fruit and wood, and thus secure the best results. 

 This shelter may best be provided by tight board fences, or by 

 evergreen hedges. 



To ensure a vigorous growth, uniform productiveness, and per- 

 manent health, a compost was prepared months in advance, both 

 for the bed of a cold grapery and also to enrich the ground for the 

 reception of native vines in open culture, consisting of ten loads 

 of meadow muck, four of well decomposed manure, three of street 

 scrapings, one of sod, one of blacksmith's cinders, iron filings and 

 hoof parings, one of whole bones, with many broken beef and sheep 

 skulls, twenty bushels of unlcached ashes, one barrel of lime slaked 

 with water containing a saturated solution of common salt, (oyster 

 shell lime preferable), twenty-five bushels of oyster shells, a barrel 

 of gypsum, and fifty bushels of broken charcoal. These are the 

 materials to supply the potash, lime, ammonia and other necessary 

 food and stimulants to the vine. They yield a healthy, firm and 

 well ripened wood, and sound, well colored and finely flavored 

 grapes. 



As the native vines are more hardy and vigorous and will grow 

 with proper exposure and shelter in the warm soil of a well culti- 

 vated garden or farm, a more simple compost for them alone would 



