1872 The Western Pomologist and Gardener. ]_$ 



Plowing Vineyards In the Fall. 



In Coleman's Rural World, Mr. Ilussman makes the following remarks to what we said 

 in Oct. No. of the Pomolooist and Gakdener, respecting plowing vineyards in the 

 fall. 



" We are sorry that we are compelled to differ from our learned friend Prof. Stayraan. 

 We recommend plowing vineyards in the fall as one of the best preventives against 

 •washing, and can hardly believe that the Professor has ever tried it, for if he had, he 

 would be conviuced of its utility. His assertion reminds us of the old-time jirejudice 

 against deep plowing because it would wash, while everybody who has tried deep plowing 

 know that deeply stirred and pulverized soil absorbs the rain and consequently washes but 

 little, while soil which has been scraped only to the depth of two or three inches with the 

 hard soil underneath, will naturally and inevitably wash off." 



Mr. Hussman takes considerable pride in trying to make us believe that every thing he 

 says is gospel, but what others say is simply assertion. That they have not " tried it" are 

 "prejudiced," "novices," "learned Professors," irronically, etc. This method of reasoning 

 may suit a dogmatical age, but it will make poor headway in a civilized and refiued age. 

 He boasts in the Orape OuUurist of 1869, "an experience of some eighteen years of prac- 

 tical grape culture," yet in 1806, which would give him fifteen years' experience, he pub- 

 lished a book on "The cultivation of the native grape," without giving one word upon 

 plowing a vineyard in the fall. The first we find of this great discovery is in 1869, in the 

 Orape Culturist. Now if it required Mr. Hussman eighteen years actual experience to find 

 out the utility of fall plowing a vineyard, we should very much doubt its propriety unless 

 he was very stupid. But he puts much stress upon d(«p plowing, but says : — " Soil which 

 has been scraped only two or three inches with the hard soil underneath, will inevitably 

 wash off." 



Now, if he turns to the Grape CuUurist, page 338, 1870, he will find how deep he rec- 

 ommends to plow. He says : " Plowing in the fall is very desirable, as it will cover up 

 all the dead leaves and rubbish and leave the ground in good condition for spring. Plow 

 about three inches deep, throwing the ground up to the vines." Now, according to his 

 own showing, it will " inevitably wash off." "Oh consistency thou art a jewel." As 

 regards deep plowing a full bearing Concord vineyard we think Mr. Hussman will try it 

 but once, and if he did he says the " soil absorbs the rain." Then it is inexpedient, as our 

 soil already contains too much moisture for the grape. He also says that plowing vine- 

 yards in the fall the furrow makes a drain. Does it not do so at any other time ? " Will 

 notour friend try it?" Mr. Godard, who has had at least forty years of experience in this 

 country and France, who is not onlj' intelligent and observing, but has one of the best 

 vineyards here, never plows his vineyard but once, and that generally in the spring or 

 summer, never in the fall. His Catawbas are healthy and perfect, while they are a 

 general failure in other vineyards. We will attend to other criticisms of Mr. Hussman in 

 our February number. — Associate Editor. 



NeTV Fruits, Grapes, Pears, See, 



At the last annual meeting of the Illinois State Horticultural Society held at Jackson- 

 ville, Mr. D. B. Wier read a valuable paper on new fruit.s, from which we make the fol- 

 lowing abridgment : 



Orapes. I have from Mr. Stephen W. Underhill, of Croton Landing, N. Y., three of his 

 hybrid grapes, named Croton, Senesqua, and Long Bunched White. Thej' were planted 

 in our loose ctay bluff soil, without manure. They have made good growth and proved 

 perfectly healthy, and the Senesqua and Croton have this last season produced several 

 bunches each of very fine fruit, and thoroughly ripened up their wood. 



Senesqua. This is a black berry and bunch about the size of the Concord, ripening a 

 little earlier. It would be called by most every one an excellent grape for eating, its flesh 

 is of the same consistency throughout; crisp, sweet, and juicy like a foreign grape. I 

 thought it had almost the exact flavor of the Black Hamburg, though a little sweeter and 

 richer. The vine seems to be hardy, and I am inclined to believe it something of an 

 acquisition well worthy of a trial at least. 



