CULTIVATION AND MARKETING OF GRAPES. 89 



THE CULTIVATION AND MARKETING OF GRAPES. 



BY G. W. ALEXANDER, FRIEND, NEB. 



Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen: The subject allotted to me 

 on this occasion is "The Cultivation and Marketing of Grapes." Of 

 course grapes must be planted before they can be cultivated. It is 

 also very important that they should be well planted, if they are ex- 

 pected to be profitable in future years. Grape vines, the first year 

 after planting, should be cultivated very much like you would culti- 

 vate a crop of corn, using a two-horse corn-cultivator first, straddling 

 the rows, afterwards passing between them, working your land four 

 times during the season, and using a hoe near the vines. It pays a 

 large per cent on the investment to keep the ground mellow and clean. 

 AVhen the ground is kept mellow a harrow is a good tool to kill small 

 weeds with, using it between the periods of cultivation. Do not at- 

 tempt to practice economy by planting some other crop among your 

 grape vines. What you plant may do well, but your vines must suf- 

 fer. Grapes, the second year after planting, will need the very best 

 care and cultivation you can give them, for this is the year the canes 

 grow that bear the first crop of fruit. During the growing season of 

 this year great care should be taken to preserve from two to four canes 

 for bearing fruit next year, by tying them up to stakes. After the 

 vines have been tied up to stakes, one of the best tools to cultivate 

 with is a one-horse plow with five shovels. You will also find a one- 

 horse harrow a very useful tool. The grape vine does not need to be 

 cultivated very deep, but often. 



The past spring a gentleman was at my house who has had thirty- 

 two years' experience in growing grapes in California. He says there 

 is no doubt we Nebraska grape-growers can grow a good crop of 

 grapes without any water after April if we will keep the cultivator 

 going, provided the land has been put in good condition before the 

 vines were planted. 



The third, and after years, vines must be well cultivated — not less 

 than four times, but six would be much better. It will also be neces- 



