1188 
J>»« RURAL NEW-YORKER 
The vineyardist alone must make final 
judgment as to the amount of pruning 
any variety must be given. If he is ob¬ 
servant he will soon learn the peculiari¬ 
ties of his varieties and govern himself 
Pruning and Training Orapa Varieties ^a^^ety, and it ha.s been trained to some accordinglv. If the pruning must be left 
The question of how a variety»should be system other than the two above, the vari- to another unfamiliar with the variety 
pruned, long or short, when should the failed commercially. The failure in the probabilities are that he will prune 
pruning be done and how shall the canes can be traced to the greater number all varieties to the same degree. The 
be disposed upon the trelli.s, are ever re- buds that are annually put up for failure to ripen Catawba in the “Chau- 
current. They come not only rrom the fruiting purposes when the Chautauqua tauqua belt” is largely due to the fact 
beginner in commercial grape growing, system, for example, is the one u.sed, yet a that they have been pruned as long as 
the small garden grape fancier, but very ''^•'iriety does its best when the system, of Concord. 
frequently from vineyardists of many necessity, re.stricts the number of buds If the planting of a variety new to a 
years’ experience. It is probable that no have proven best for the variety, and section is planned, the prospective grower 
phase of grape-growing is as little under- ff*® same time disposes the developing should make inquiry in the locality in 
stood in its fundamentals as that of f'hoots according to their natural bent. which it is grown as to its habits and 
pruning and training. One of the prin- addition to the varieties already vigor as compared with some variety with 
cipal reasons for this lack of information nientioned Norton, Diamond, Campbell, which he is familiar on his own grounds, 
is the far too common practice of leaving I'-unielan, Diana, Regal, Iona, Moore, Adaptability of varieties to certain soils 
this impor*^ant operation to professional ' ergennes and Agawam are, principally is an unexplored field, and the most one 
pruners who go from vineymrd to vine- their growth habit, adapted for can do under this handicap is to study 
yard throughout the dormant season, training to the upright type. Worden, the soil habitat of the species from which 
These men see the vineyards but once a 
year, and this when the fruit is off. The 
sole basis on which to form judgments as 
to the proper amount of cane to leave for 
next year’s fruit is the amount of wood 
grown during the previous season. It is 
a well-known fact that varieties may in 
many instances make a very vigorous 
growth of wood, and yet their fruit was 
poorly matured. Wittiout the latter in¬ 
formation no vineyard can be pruned in¬ 
telligently. 
Clinton, Tarry, Cottage, Champion, like¬ 
wise are adapted to the drooping types, 
i. e., the Kniffen and its modifications. 
If all the varieties derived from certain 
species of Titis were equally vigorous it 
would be easier to give somewhat defi¬ 
nitely rules for the pruning of that class, 
but vigor is as variable in varieties from 
known species as it is among .species, and 
as most grape varieties are derived from 
two or more species, and even the blood 
dilutions of those from the same pnrent- 
the variety in question is derived. 
F. E. GLADWIN. 
Raspberry Notes From Missouri 
A Fine Crop.— After the coldest, most 
prolonged and snowie.st Winter in 40 
years, the rasi)berries. both black and red, 
came to the front with the best crop in 
J-dicious pruning of the vine is more problem is further compli- 
•Mential than the training to any par- writers, it is true, hav- laid 
ticular system, but there does necessarily certain fundamental rules as to 
exist a relationship between pruning and Ibe niethod to be pursued for pruning and 
training. It is quite obvious that vari- draining varieties. These, however are 
eties that are pruned short must have rnerely relative, for the soil must of neces- 
their canes or arms disposed somewhat important consideration. Most 
differently on the trellis from those that varieties in the “Chautauqua belt” can be 
are long pruned. Where the vigor of a longer pruned than the same in the 
variety permits and its fruiting habits are Lake section, because of .soil dif- 
consistent with, it may be pruned for f<'J’<‘nees. Likewise the loose soils of Iowa 
training to one or more of the common of longer pruning than do the 
systems; however, some varieties are such Chautauqua. ^ The writer has seen 
poor growers that the systems on which effects of trying to fit the degree 
they may be trained are limited to one, Pruning as a hard and fast rule, where 
or two at the most. There is no doubt case the vines were so long pruned 
that certain varieties do best when pruned that the soil was not able to sustain the 
to conform to the type of some particular ^uiount of fruit set, while in thi; one 
system. Further, the disposal of the heavily manured and the 
fruiting wood, as made possible with average number of buds put up tbe crop 
Eaton Red Raspherry. Fig. 579. 
some systems, favors the development of ^ failure by reason of an excessive years. There was almost no dying back 
fruit of better quality, and wood so stimulation of wood growth. . of canes, the great weakness of the black- 
nlaoed on tho armq and <5fpm flint if onn following statements Concord logion, proving conclusively 
piacea on rne arms ana stem, tnat it can j ^ or u i - -i j i proceeds from other causes than 
be utilized to the best advantage. Other o5-40 buds is considered long- cold weather. Most of the red showed 
systems favor the best development of Pruned. On this basis Oelawaie leQUires themselves hardy. I am constrained to 
wood at points unsuitable for future use, pruning under most conditimis, that Sh%f^s^ow^^^^ 
although the fruit may be of the best. It usually 18-20 buds are sufficient If much to do with the strong vi- 
has been learned that the sugar content rnany more than this are put up the fruit tality and abundant fruiting wood with 
of Concord fruit, and this probably ap¬ 
plies to other varieties, when pruned to 
the Chautauqua system, varies from dif¬ 
ferent elevations on the vines That from 
the upper part gave on an average 1.3 
per cent more than that from the lower 
portion. The amount of acid was greater 
in grapes from the lower portion a.s com¬ 
pared with the upper half. Some of the 
systems now in use favor these differences 
in even greater degree than tbe Chau¬ 
tauqua. Other s.vstems operate to lessen 
these differences by jiromoting a more 
equable sap flow. 
It is generally agreed that strong-grow¬ 
ing varieties like Concord, Niagara and 
(''linton do their best when trained ac¬ 
cording to the drooping type, exemplified 
by the various sorts of Kniffen metlods. 
Weaker and slower growing varieties, as 
Delaware, Dutchess and Iona, can best 
be trained to some form of the upright 
type, other conditions being t’ae .same. 
The terms here used refer to the position 
the bearing shoots assume rather than of 
does not color, nor does the wood mature, which the blackcaps began their Spring 
Bacchus, Champion, Clinton, Cynthiana, Si’owth. 
Clevener, Hartford, Herbert, Isabella, Sunbeam.— The most inter- 
T • T M -IT -i. T. • 1- esting revelation perhaps of the season 
Lindley, Lucile, Manito, Mo. Reislmg. was the conduct of those two varieties, 
Niagara, Northern Muscadine, Elvira and originated by Prof. Hanson of the North 
Cottage may be pruned with Concord. station to withstand the extreme 
Campbell, Coler.aip, Delaware, Duel,css f"*'' 
Moore, Eclipse, Iona, Jefferson, .lessica, 
Lady, Martha, Moyer, Pocklington. Tri¬ 
umph, Wyoming, Worden, Woodruff and 
Goethe should be short-pruned when 
growing under like soil conditions with 
Concord pruned to 35-40 buds. 
Between these extremes and requiring 
moderate pruning are Agawam, Berck- 
beam. The Ohta is quite early, the ber¬ 
ries are large, gopd quality, but too pale 
in color, fairly productive. The Sunbeam 
is also early, but not so early as the Ohta, 
not (luite so large in berry, but of good 
color, a little sweeter, more productive 
and larger of cane. I think these two 
sorts should be extensively tested. I am 
not sure but that they will prove a decided 
acquisition here. The .season of the Sun¬ 
beam is very long, and it is very pro¬ 
the canes. The horizontal type is not in 
general use today, it not being adapted mans, Brighton, Brilliant. Catawba, Dia- 
for commercial purposes, owing to up- mond, Diana, Daisy, Esther, Eaton, Em- 
keep and labor in tying. pire State, Eumelan, Goethe, Gaertner, 
However, all stimng-growing varieties Winchell, Ives, Massasoit, Merrimac, 
are not adapted to the Kniffen type, as Perkins, Regal, Salem, Vergennes, Ulster 
for example Catawba. With this variety and Wilder. 
the tendency of the developing shoots is Under particularly favorable or un¬ 
to remain upright instead of assuming favorable conditions these statements 
the drooping habit of Concord and Ni- might require some modification, but in 
agara. Varieties that have this inherent the main and under average conditions 
growth character cannot be made to con- they will hold. As already stated these 
form to training systems that utilize the varieties have been grown under like con- 
drooping character. This fact was early ditions of soil and under like cultural 
recognized in (he training of Catawba, for practices with Concord pruned to 35-40 
we find that in practically every section buds. 
where Catawba is grown commercially More injury to the vine will result from 
it is trained either to the fan or high re- excessive long pruning than from short 
newal system. In localities where Ca- pruning, yet too short pruning is not de- 
tawba has been planted as a secondary sirable. 
Manitou at left, Loudon at right. Fig. 578 
ductive of bright-colored berries of good 
size. The plants are full of vigor, but 
they do not grow to the inordinate length 
of the Cuthbert. I shall increase my 
planting of this kind and also test the 
Ohta in new locations where it may prove 
of more value. 
Other Varieties. —The June died out. 
The Marlboro is plainly unsuited to this 
region and is unprofitable. Of all varie¬ 
ties the Loudon has proved itself the king 
through a long succession of years. It is 
late, covers a long season, and is very 
productive of berries unsurpassed in size, 
color, firmness and quality. Perhaps its 
lack of popularity is due to its demand for 
very rich soil. It is said to be worthless 
because of its susceptibility to rootgall, 
but it may be that the stimulus of high 
fertility balances the weakening influence 
of the galls. There is no variety, perhaps, 
that makes fewer sucker plants. The 
Manitou. that is said to resist the gall, is 
a rampant grower and much resembles the 
October 19, 1918 
Cuthbert. I do not hear of it being test¬ 
ed. The late Mr. Endicott, veteran fruit 
grower of Southern Illinois, preferred it 
to all others as a commercial sort, after 
trying all the standard kinds. Worthy, 
introduced by J. 11. Hale from New Eng¬ 
land, I have always found to be a fine, 
dependable variety, with many good quali¬ 
ties. Eaton is a very distinct character, 
very productive of the largest berries of 
all, but condemned by its dwarf growth 
and by a soft rot that often affects its 
berries. I have seen it make a sensation 
as grown by an amateur in his backyard 
where its canes arrived at average size 
and its berries, with their great size, went 
on the market after other sorts were 
about gone. Possibly it could be made 
profitable with special culture. The pur¬ 
ple kinds did very well, but .showed less 
resistance to the Winter in dead wood. 
They die back here worse than the black¬ 
caps. but their great productiveness should 
retain them a place among market .sorts. 
When the reds are scarce many customers 
will accept the purple and hardly remark 
the difference. 
Blackcaps with Grapes. —I am now 
putting on^ trial the system of growing 
blackcaps in the rows with the grapes. 
My limited experience in this does not 
yet give ground for arriving at conclu¬ 
sions. To do this at all the grapevines 
must be kept well up, and I am now using 
eight-foot posts with tbe top wire six feet 
from the ground. I have noted that the 
blackcap did best in the shade, and that 
its roots were able to get what water and 
food they required for a vigorous growth 
regardless of the proximity of trees that 
usually exert a dwarfing and W'eakening 
influence. If this system is successful in 
carrying the canes through the Winter 
without injury, it Avill be highly profit¬ 
able, not only for insuring a crop, but in 
economizing land. Of the blacks I find 
nothing better than Cumberland and Kan- 
.sas, but I now .select tips only from the 
vines that are most vigorous and show 
least dead wood in the Spring. 
Cape Girardeau, Mo. L. R. JOHNSON. 
Cutting and Thrashing Buckwheat 
When should buckwheat be cut, and 
when and how thrashed? Can it be 
thrashed wuth a grain separator? j. i. d. 
Hanover, Pa. 
The exact time of cutting buckwheat is 
set la7-gely by impending frosts, it usu¬ 
ally being allowed to stand about as long 
as it is considered safe. It may be cut, 
however, at any time after it has filled 
and the greater part of the kernels have 
matured and turned black. There W’ill be 
immature kernels with those that are ripe 
upon the stems, but these will mature after 
cutting if they have not been touched by 
frost. Buckwheat is allowed to cure in 
the field, each gavel being set up on its 
butt by it.self. After it has become cured 
it may be thrashed directly from the field 
or stored under shelter until a convenient 
time for thrashing. A flail may be u.sed 
for small quantities, or the ordinary grain 
separator may be employed and run by 
Po^'er. B. D. 
Privet Roots in Flower Bed 
!• I find that the privet hedge around 
three sides of my flower garden is robbing 
the_ border of all richness as well as 
moisture, and I have been told that it 
will be necessary to put a trench of cement 
or coal ashes between the hedge and 
border. Can you give me some informa¬ 
tion in regard to this? How deep will 
the trench have to go to got below the 
depth of iirivet roots? Is there any way 
to_ dig the trench narrower than a shovel 
width? How little cement can I use to 
keep it from cracking, and if it does, is 
there any danger of the roots finding their 
way through the cement? 2. Will you 
tell me how best to fit a heavy, wet clay 
soil to suit flowers? I have plenty of 
mst Winter’s cow manure, also sand. 
Would lime help? The soil seems quite 
free from acid. g. g, 
Rapidan, Va. 
1. A cement wall between the plants 
and border is probably the only thing that 
will effectually stop the privet roots from 
pushing their way into the border. Just 
how deep the wall should go I am unable 
to say, as I have no data on the question, 
but. judging from the nature of the plant, 
a depth of IS or 20 inches will be suffi¬ 
cient to keep them out. The wall need 
not be oyer three or four inches thick, 
and if mixed in the proportion of one 
part of good cement to six parts of sharp 
sand and quite small gravel the roots 
cannot get through it, unless it should 
crack, in which case the fine, fibrous 
roots would no_ doubt find their way 
through. Iiy sections where hard freezing 
occurs, it will be necessary to go below 
the frost line to prevent the expansion of 
frozen ground heaving the wall and 
cracking it. The bottom of the trench 
should be filled with sand or coal 
ashes to prevent heaving by frost. The 
wall should extend two or three inches 
above the surface, and may be placed 
within 10 or 12 inches of the plants, if 
convenient to do so. 
2. Spread an inch or two of sand over 
the ground and thoroughly incorporate it 
with the soil to a depth of five or six 
inches. Lime would help some, but its 
effect is not permanent like sand. Use 
as much manure as is necessary to make 
the ground highly productive, but no 
more, as an oversupply is often as bad 
as an under supply. K. 
