212 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Thomas replied that cultivation will not make trees grow where there is 

 no soil. There are soils where they will grow without cultivation, and soils 

 where cultivation is necessary and cheaper. 



Mr. Israel Arnold, of Benton Center, Yates county, has four small orchards. 

 One of sixty trees, near his house, has been planted twenty-two years, never 

 had a plow in it, and since it commenced hearing never failed of a crop. 

 Manures every three years. Has another that was cultivated the first twelve 

 years, then seeded, and has had no plow in it in twenty years. When he bought 

 it, had it manured, and has kept hogs in it. Gets good crops every alternate 

 year. 



GRAPES. 



Question. — Have we reached the height of excellence in grapes? If not, 

 what qualities are still wanting? 



Can the grape be grown for market profitably in western New York? 



A. C. Younglove, Vine Valley, hardly thinks we have reached the height of 

 excellence in the grape. We want more sugar in our grapes. Would not wish 

 to change the growing qualities of Delaware, Agawam, and Salein, but would 

 like a little more sugar in them. Could wish that Catawba were a little 

 stronger grower, but would not change cluster. Would make Delaware 115°, 

 Catawba 96°, Agawam and Salem from 96° to 100° on saccharometer. No 

 grape grown in California, or on foreigu soils, that would equal these grapes if 

 made as sweet as indicated. Grapes can be grown with profit. We get our entire 

 living out of grapes. We take hold of our vineyards as a market-gardener would 

 manure his garden. A great many vineyards are dug up because not managed 

 right. They have tried to raise grapes without labor and intelligence. No two 

 varieties will admit of the same treatment. AVe must know the wants of 

 the soil and the habits of the grape. We learn something every year. They 

 have set-backs, principally from dry winters. Isabella and Concord are grown, 

 but are less profitable than the varieties mentioned. No lonas or Crotons 

 grown. Regards Delaware as strong as any, but wants a good soil, such as 

 would produce twenty-five bushels of wheat to the acre, and then judicious 

 pruning. Must learn by repeated experiments how to manage every kind. 

 Catawba improves after maturity; has never failed to ripen it. Finishes ship- 

 ping by the 5th of October. Late grapes sold highest. Rogers' four and for- 

 ty-three best black grapes good for own table, but will not sell with red in 

 market. Customers call all blacks Isabellas, and they will sell for no more 

 than that variety. The Rogers bear uniformly, and set their fruit in good con- 

 dition. If they ripened at the same season and were mixed together, Salem 

 and Agawam could not be distinguished. Wilder, Downing, Fuller, and Rogers 

 himself, tasted them on his ground and could not tell which was which. Any 

 man who will get up a good white grape equal in appearance to the Concord 

 has a fortune. Never saw mildew on those Rogers, or on the leaves. 



Mr. LaRue, llammondsport, believes in the Catawba. Yesterday shipped 

 from down the lake half a ton to New York, for which he received 520 cents a 

 pound. Good cultivation makes it pay in his valley. He has 20 acres which 

 costs §500 a year, and livings in x:5.000. All who have cultivated intelligently 

 have made it pay. His section will be mostly set out with Catawba. 



Mr. Younglove said it was common for vineyardists to say that the business 

 is "played out," but Mr. LaRue and he knew thai men do better in that than 

 in farming. Major Hixon has 1,300 vines, — two acres, — and has never taken 

 less than $800 a year. Uses ashes if he can get them, hen manure mixed with 



