16 



THE GRAPE IN KANSAS. 



a T or, when two wires are used, a double T. The main or upright part of vine 

 may remain permanently, but the two or four laterals, as the case may be, should 

 be renewed occasionally. Grapes that are decidedly better than none may be 

 .grown with but little care ; but if first-class fruit that would sell profitably on 

 the market is desired, the above instructions cannot be too closely observed. 

 Edwin H. Riehl. 



THE GRAPE TRELLIS. 



In building a grape trellis, if fence-posts are used, set the end posts so that the 

 strain of the wires will come on the broad side of them : a post set the other way 

 will be pulled out of place in a few years, while set in this way, the posts furnish 

 a greater width of wood to pull against, and they remain solid for many years. 



For tightening trellis wires, make the wires fast at one end, and then have as 

 many blocks of wood 8x2x2 inches as there are wires. Round the blocks a little 

 near the middle, so that the wires will wind around them easily, bore holes 

 through the last post, put the wires through in their proper places, and, instead 

 of fastening them, wind them around the blocks, pulling and winding until they 

 -are perfectly tight. Leave the blocks in place, and any time when the wires seem 

 slack, a turn or two of the blocks [with a wrench] will bring them into place again. 



The "point" in this figure is the double wire (a a), which prevents the brace 

 from slipping and makes it one with the post ; a very useful and valuable device. 



GRAPE ARBORS AND VINES AGAINST THE BUILDINGS. 



The grape-vine is so manageable, and, with intelligent training, so beautiful 

 rand profitable, that I wonder it is not more used to cover verandas, piazzas, 

 porches, stoops, and outbuildings. Many a spot given up to morning-glories, 

 scarlet runners, cinnamon vines, etc., would grow a fragrant spring bloom, a 

 luxuriant, leafy summer shade, and many pounds of luscious grapes in autumn. 

 Besides, some of the vines, like wistaria, clematis, and honeysuckle, are persist- 

 ent or perennial, and cling to the trellis during winter, when more light and sun- 

 shine are desired on the porch or in the windows, while the grape, trimmed of all 

 superfluous brush in November, waves only "bare poles" (arms or canes) during 

 winter, allowing sun and air free access to the dwelling. We in Kansas little 

 know that a very large proportion of the small, fenced-in back yards of the resi- 

 dence portion of our great cities grow annually tons of fine grapes. 



I remember in earliest boyhood that on our street and among our acquaint- 

 ances it was the rule to have one or more Isabella grape-vines in the back yard. 



