Discussion on Grapes. 103 



Mr. Williams, of New Jersey — I failed last year by bagging too 

 late. This year I bagged my grapes earlier, and was successful. 

 It does not pay me to bag the Concord ; the fruit does not sell for 

 enough to pay expenses, but it pays me well to bag my finer varie- 

 ties. The grapes do not crack when properly bagged. My bags 

 cost $1.15 per 1,000. 



Mr. Caywood — I do not condemn bagging. It is impracticable; 

 that is all. 



Mr. Miinson, of Texas — It is important to know when to put on 

 the bags. It must be done very early. This a man in our State 

 has proved by the use of salicilic acid. 



Mr. Pierce, of Ohio — Dr. Jewett, of our State, has tried carbolic 

 acid, sprayed on, and finds it a preventive of rot. 



President Earle — I know from experience that it pays to bag 

 grapes. It costs about a half cent a pound to bag them. 



Mr. Williams — The President has alluded to the saving of grapes 

 from birds. In this respect alone it pays to bag them. 



Mr. Ohmer, of Ohio — They are much easier picked, besides the 

 great satisfaction of having something worth picking. But you 

 must not omit to open the lower end of the bag to let water out. 



Mr. Cassell, of Mississippi — What size bag is best? 



Mr. Williams — I use two-pound bags, such as grocers use in 

 putting up goods. 



Mr. Cushman — If you bag the grapes you will bag tlie money. 



Mr. Kellogg, of Wisconsin — Spring and fall frosts are our great- 

 est trouble. There is nothing but the Concord type that will suc- 

 ceed in our State. Our most successful crops are from improved 

 vines. 



Mr. Leeper, of Illinois — Grapes do not pay in Illinois. From 

 Fort Madison to St. Louis they fail to succeed. 



Mr. Durand, of Missouri — I would ask Mr. Williams how he 

 would prune an old vineyard to put it in good shape? 



Mr. Williams — You must cut back, so as to induce the growth of 

 new wood, and then you will get fruit. It takes some years to re- 

 claim an old vineyard. 



