Grapes for home and market

Abstract

Introduction: The date at which man commenced using the grape is unknown. The first authentic record of its use was made at a very ancient time, but the fruit was then extensively cultivated, being used in primitive wine making. However, the history of grape culture, so far as it affects the people of the United States, is a record of recent date. When the early settlers first came to America they found wild grape vines growing in such abundance that they named the country Vineland, and sent back to the old country hyperbolical reports about the wonderful fertility of the newly–discovered continent. In the last two hundred years, and especially in the last fifty years, unparalleled progress has been made in viticulture. Taking the native wild grapes experimenters and growers have produced innumerable varieties of large size and excellent quality. Success has been attained through the use of the native species alone, for the European species were found to be too tender to be grown with profit in any of the States of the Union except California. The grape is one of the best of fruits and is quite easily grown, yet with it as with the majority of other fruits, there is an insignificant number of growers compared with the multitude of people who might reap the benefits of its use. It grows in almost every variety of soil and practically every person has sufficient knowledge and skill to grow it with success. Every farmer has it within his power to grow grapes and should grow at least a few vines to supply his own table with the fruit. If a little care is taken in selecting varieties and in caring for the fruit, one may have it won the table three months out of every year.