nCTORlAL PRAOTIGAL FRUIT GROWINQ. 



Chapter XIV.— Grapes, 



Of all cultivated fruits the most interesting to professionals, the Grape is 

 perhaps the most tantalising to amateurs. The latter see splendid clusters 

 exhibited at the shows, and think with chastened sorrow of their meagre 

 bunches at home. They read learned discussions in horticultural papers, 

 and feel themselves outside the pale. I doubt if there is any real ground 

 for all this, and even where very limited glass accommodation is possessed, 

 some very tolerable Grapes may be grown, as it wiU. be my business to 

 prove. 



From tlie time when, an eager youngster, I imbibed lessons in making 

 and striking " eyes " from a marvellous old grower who could make Vines 

 out of any odd chips, I have been accustomed to seeing Grape growing 

 elevated into a mystery by that much criticised being, the local gardener. 

 The great growers — the men who exhibit the splendid black or golden 

 bimclies which we see on show — very rarely make any secret or fuss about 

 it. They just prune, thin, manure, syringe, and pocket the prize money, 

 that is all. Those of us who have been behind the scenes at establishments 

 where a good deal of exhibiting is done know that there is a little more 

 than this in it; but the fact remains that the highly successful grower is 

 generally more subdued than the "triton amongst the minnows" who 

 overawes the local cottagers on meeting -nights. 



If nothing else had arisen to reduce Grape growing to its proper propor- 

 tions, the wonderful developments in market culture would have done it. 

 Those huge fields of glass where Grapes are grown by the acre have taken 

 the conceit out of many a grower. It would be difficult for any horti- 

 culturist to survey the long vista of straight rods, huge leaves, and countless 

 bunches without being impressed and silenced. No deep secrets here, no 

 wagging of complacent heads, no loud boasting; just plain food, plain 

 treatment, and cleanliness. 



I propose to discuss a few of the difficulties which stand in the way of 

 the would-be Grape grower, and see if they cannot be smoothed away. 

 Touching on sources of failure may point the way to success. 



Old Vines versus Neiv.— The reader may be taking np Grape 

 growing under one of three sets of conditions. He may be making a 

 start with a new house or bouses and new Vines ; he may be commencing 

 with old houses and new Vines ; or he may he taking up the culture where 

 houses and Vines already exist, and where he sim"ply has to adapt himself 

 to existing material. By turns we can give consideration to all of these 

 circumstances, and thus provide information that will be applicable to 

 every case. Perhaps that person is the most to be congratulated who is in 

 the position of making an entirely fresh start. He will have more work 

 but greater pleasure. It is frequently a thankless business to take over an 

 old culture. 



How Grape Vines are Propagated. — There are several ways of 

 propagating Vines, but the commonest is to prepare and insert small 

 portions of shoots, each with a bud, technically termed eyes. It is winter 

 work, propagators considering that there is no better time than the period 



