44 Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society. 



derclrained. I wish to emphasize this idea in its apphcation to the cultiva- 

 tion of the grape. Thrifty vines or perfect fruit can not be produced unless 

 this rule is observed. If the soil where the grape vine is grown has not its 

 full share of lime, this ingredient should be used freely. In procuring vines 

 for planting, select those two years old witli good roots. If intended to bo 

 trained on trellis, plant eight feet apart in the row, and if more than one 

 row is desired, make rows ten feet apart. Allow but one vine to grow from 

 ■the roots. When the frost takes the leaves oil' cut back to two buds and 

 cover with dirt. Next spring, if both the buds start, rub the weaker one 

 off. Keep tied to trellis and pinch back all laterals. If the vine has made a 

 good growth, after the leaves have again fallen, cut back to two feet and lay 

 the vine down and cover with earth. If the growth has been feeble, not 

 more than two or three feet, cut back as was done the first year, to two buds. 

 The third year a healthy and vigorous vine may be allowed to throw out two 

 branches from the uppermost two buds. With the exception of taking ofl 

 the laterals of this year's growth I recommend no summer pruning, unless 

 it ma}' be a chance small and puny growth. Where it is desired to avoid 

 the expense of a trellis, vines may be planted on the east or south side of the 

 barn, wood house, or other out building, and trained to the sides of the same. 

 Where convenient it is a good plan to train these vines under the eaves of 

 the buildings, which protect the growing fruit from rain and dew, thereby 



averting the rot. 



VARIETIES. 



On taking a view of this part of my subject, a graveyard of blasted hopes 

 and three dollar grape vines bursts upon my vision, and I am led to exclaim. 

 " Gone, but not forgotten ! " Hence I tread softly here, fearing I may awaken 

 one whose epita])h may be that over the infant's grave — 



" Since I am so soon clone for, 

 The wonder is, wlmt I was hegnn for." 



In this dangerous sea of varieties I will kccj) my little bark close to shore 

 and will only recommend Concord and Ives' Seedling for the family, not be- 

 cause either is a good grape, but because we can always have them, and because 

 apoor grape is better than no gra])<\ Thnro are, however, many other grapes 

 that may be recommended, and really i)romise well,to-wit: Cliampion, Dela- 

 ware, Duchess, Telegraph, Salem, Brighton, Worden, Moore's Early, Honors' 

 No. 3, 4, 9 and 15. 



DISCUSSION ON SMALL FRUITS. 



Mr. Barnard, of" Nebraska — I seldom fail to have good crops of 

 strawberries. I practice mulching heavily with ])rairie hay. lu 

 the spring I uncover about one-third of my plants at a time at in- 

 tervals of a week apart. In this way I continue the blooming sea- 

 .son and thus often avoid injury from frosts, as well as extending the 



