78 THE GRAPE IN KANSAS. 



I have tried Concord and two other varieties ; Concord does best here ; I seldom 

 have grapes to sell, but when I do I receive from three to five cents per pound ; 

 they would be a paying crop if conducted as a business; have never sacked the 

 fruit; we boil, skim and can grape juice, which is very useful in cooking. 



G. E. SPOHR, Manhattan, Riley county: I have 1800 grapes, planted on a 

 sandy loam which slopes slightly southeast. My varieties are Concord, Worden, 

 Elvira, Martha, Moore's Early, Moore's Diamond, Catawba, and several of the 

 Rogers's. Have discarded all varieties but four. A leaf-louse destroys the 

 foliage on all the wrinkled- leaf varieties. Rogers's not hardy; Martha not a 

 good bearer. Would recommend Concord, Worden, Moore's Early, and Moore's 

 Diamond. I have never experimented very much ; grubbed out most all my 

 Catawba, Elvira, Rogers's, etc.; left only enough for home use; then planted 

 Concords, as I wanted some pay for my work. The Concord is the only money- 

 maker. I prefer one-year-old vines, set 7x10 feet; cultivate with a diamond 

 plow and a five- toothed cultivator. Prune early in the spring, when heavy frosts 

 are over, and pinch the vines after the fruit is well set, and prune in July, if the 

 growth is very rank. My trellis is made of three strands of No. 9 or No. 12 wire 

 and posts twenty feet apart. I have bagged my grapes 4000 bunches in two years ; 

 I would advise it, if help can be had cheaply. The heavy rains ruined the bags, 

 and the fingers of my helper were too stiff to leave me any profit after paying him 

 one dollar per day. [Girls are more nimble.] Gather each bunch carefully, and 

 pack in eight-pound baskets ; sell mostly at home and to shippers here. Realized 

 from twenty- five to fifty dollars per acre last year; about every fifth year I have 

 to buy grapes to eat. Two of the largest commercial vineyards here have been 

 grubbed out. I do not consider them a paying crop; would rather grow corn. 

 I have* put up unfermented grape juice, but do not now, as it is too much labor. 



W. J. GRIFFING, Manhattan, Riley county : Have one-half acre of grape-vines, 

 planted on upland clay loam. My varieties are Concord, Worden, Etta, and 

 Dracut Amber. Plant two-year-old vines. Set six feet apart in the row, rows 

 six feet apart. Till with a one-horse, double-shovel-cultivator. Prune in late 

 winter or early spring; would prune in the summer if I had time. My trellis is 

 hedge posts and wire. Do not bag the fruit; it is well to bag a few. I prefer 

 ten-pound baskets. Market at Manhattan. They are too easily grown and too 

 prolific to be a paying crop. I put up unfermented grape juice; we can it every 

 year as you would can fruit; we like it sweetened and diluted with water in the 

 summer; it is as good as lemonade. We also can cherry and blackberry juice in 

 the same way for the same purpose. Often use it to make jelly in the winter. 



SAM KIMBLE, Manhattan, Riley county: I have between 300 and 400 grape- 

 vines, planted on an acre of clay upland, sloping slightly to the southeast. Have 

 tested Concord, Worden, and Delaware. Would recommend Worden as best of 

 all, as it is as hardy as Concord, a little larger berry, and sweeter. I think it 

 finer for table use. Have tested the Delaware experimentally, but find it un- 

 profitable, as it is not hardy here. I plant two-year-old, well-rooted vines, six to 

 eight feet apart, in rows nine feet apart. Till with a five-tooth cultivator lightly 

 to keep the ground clean and loose, but not deep enough to tear the roots. 

 Thorough cultivation is half the battle. Prune late in winter, and again about 

 June 15 I prune off the long shoots with a scythe; again in summer I prune 

 along the sides of the trellis with a sickle. I use a five-wire-fence trellis, which 

 I think is best. Have not bagged any, as I do not think it beneficial. Cut 

 bunches with sharp knife or shears. I let my neighbors and friends come and 

 get all they want free. Some pay me one dollar a hundredweight when they get 



