26 CULTIVATION 



DISEASE, INSECTS, ETC. 



Though the grape is a hardy plant and a pretty 

 sure bearer, yet, like other precious gifts to man, it 

 is not proof entirely against disease. The blight 

 or rot is the principal evil, especially with the Ca- 

 tawba variety in Ohio. This occurs about the time 

 of hardening of the seed in July and August, after 

 p»f„se ,ai.. and ho. sun. It *ites l„dd.„Iy, 

 with disastrous effect. The cause is supposed to 

 be an excess of water about the roots, and princi- 

 pally in clayey, heavy soil. Vines in sandy soil 

 with a gravelly or rocky substratum, are most gen- 

 erally exempt from disease. Flowers of sulphur 

 scattered over the vines in June and July, tend mate- 

 rially to prevent the rot which is thought to be allied 

 to ^de',. It will prevent it in th. grape nnds, 

 glass. Wood ashes are particularly valuable, scat- 

 tered upon the ground, and hoed under in the 

 spring; they tend to neutralize acidity of the 'soil, 

 and supply the alkalies which are absorbed by the 

 leaves and fruit. A moderate use of ashes tends 

 to sweeten the flavor of every variety of fruit. In 

 the month of June the roseteg sometimes makes 

 its appearance while the vine if in bloom, and dis- 

 pensing its flagrance around. It feeds upon the 

 blossoms and leaves, but can be destroyed early in 

 the morning by jarring the vine, when they will 

 drop upon a sheet if placed beneath to receive them. 

 Syringing the vine with soap-suds, lime-water, sul- 

 phur- water, &c., has been tried with success. Kose« 



