3G STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



would do no injustice to any, let me only urge your representative men to visit 

 each at its home, and see for themselves and report to you. They are men of 

 intelligence, honesty, and experience, and you can safely rely upon their judg- 

 ment. It would even be much better for your society to pay them for going 

 than to let its members take the risk of buying all untried. 



In this way you can easily find out whether they are strong, healthy growers 

 and abundant and regular bearers of beautiful and good fruit, resisting all 

 attacks of insects and disease, or are weakly, of slow growth, delicate of vine 

 and leaf, and so subject to disease that they have to be continually doctored 

 and dosed to "keep Avhat little life they have," until a too confiding public 

 shall buy enough to line the pockets of the trembling owners. On their rep- 

 resentations you can safely rely, and your society shall have accomplished one 

 of the greatest reforms needed in this age of humbug. 



DISEASES AND INSECTS. 



"With the proper selection of varieties you should have no trouble in your 

 State with diseases. If you find any variety subject to their attacks, the best 

 remedy is the hoe, shovel, and ax ; cut down, dig them out, and plant a strong 

 grower in their place, — heroic treatment, but quickest and most effectual — 

 sure to cure. 



Phylloxera will give very little trouble with strong growing natives. 



The steel beetle can easily be kept in check by watchfulness, catching and 

 killing all you can find. 



Thrips is the most troublesome of all insects, but I should think easily 

 handled with your remedy of tarred paper. 



Birds. — What shall I say of birds? Raise enough grapes for them and you ; 

 but if you find them so bad you must needs kill, remember they are your friends, 

 and kill as few and kill them as easily as possible. But when the white grape 

 comes, as come it will, as hardy, strong, and productive as Concord, by all means 

 place that first on the list and set it largely, for birds have never yet troubled the 

 white grapes, and I doubt if they ever will, and we shall thus be rid of the ne- 

 cessity of killing our best friends. 



In conclusion let me urge farmers, and all others who have ground, to plant 

 grapes. Select suitable varieties; give them the modicum of care, culture 

 and training, and each autumn they will reward your efforts and bless you 

 with such abundant crops of beautiful, refreshing, health-giving fruit, ripen- 

 ing and mellowing in the autumn sun, as you have never dreamed of ; that 

 shall make glad the hearts of your whole family, and shall be worth more in 

 preserving and restoring health than all the medicine in the universe, and how 

 much more agreeable to take. 



Standing by the vine, bending 'neath its load. 

 Tasting of the fruit, melting, sweet and good; 

 Seeing the children, dancing with delight, 

 Feasting on the grapes morning, noon and night, 

 You will not regret your time, care or labor, 

 And ought not forget your friend or your neighbor, 

 Nor should you neglect the thanks that are due 

 The giver of good who gave them to you. 



In continuance of the discussion of the grape question a letter was read from 

 Mr. Edward Bradfield, of Ada, Kent county, Michigan, who, regretting. his 

 inability to be present and take a part in the discussion, sent a communication. 



