40 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



after the leaves fall off, cut back again in the same way, leaving two canes 

 with two buds on each. The second fall, if the vines have made a good strong 

 growth, save two canes with about a dozen buds on each and three others with 

 two buds on each, from which canes will grow for the next year's fruit. Up 

 to this time the vines have needed no stakes. In the following spring set a 

 stake and tie up the vine3 with wool twine or other suitable string. The next 

 or third fall save three of the largest canes, about three feet long, for fruit, 

 and two others with two buds on each to grow canes from for the following 

 year. At this pruning cut away the old canes which bore the fruit, and con- 

 tinue to do so each fall afterwards. 



After four years of good culture and proper pruning the vines may be fully 

 established and capable of bearing a full crop of fruit, so that from four to six 

 canes, four feet long, may be saved each year to bear fruit, and they will require 

 two stakes to each root, one for the fruit bearing canes and one for the new 

 canes, which will now require to be tied up so that the land can be cultivated. 

 I prefer to use stakes instead of trellis. They are cheaper and allow a thorough 

 culture of the ground with horse and plow. 



If the plan be faithfully followed any farmer may expect an abundant sup- 

 ply of good fruit every year. 



I recommend the Concord and Delaware for the reason that they both 

 bear very good fruit, nearly or quite as good as any other native variety ; 

 especially on account of the vines proving perfectly hardy in our climate. I 

 have not found it necessary to cover either of them in the coldest winter, and 

 have not failed to get a good crop of fruit every year. 



Mr. E. M. Potter of Kalamazoo followed with a short article. 



MR. POTTER'S METHOD. 



I am very glad that this subject is on the list for this meeting. It is a 

 lamentable fact that a larger share of homes are either entirely destitute or 

 but poorly supplied with this health-giving fruit, so rich in its refreshing nec- 

 tar, its abundant supply of sugar, ablumen, starch, etc., which combine to 

 make it when well ripened, the par excellence of all fruits; and which can be 

 grown in a greater variety of soils and locations than any we can name. 



No matter how small the plat of the cottager, give the vine a good foothold 

 and it will climb up to his chamber window, and offer him a wholesome tonic 

 with the dawn of the September morning. Its rich clusters will impart new 

 vigor when he takes his hour of rest and refreshment at mid-day, and adorn 

 the tea-table or side-board after the labors of the day are done. 



The most common mistake is made in planting varieties which will not do 

 well except under the most favorable conditions, and very likely not succeed at 

 all in this climate. After testing fifteen or more varieties, we are ready to say 

 that if we were to plant only one-half dozen vines, or be confined to one vari- 

 ety alone, it would be the Concord. When well ripened it will suit the masses 

 whose tastes have not been perverted by prejudice or educated in accordance 

 with amateur notions. It can be cheaply put up in large jugs or stone jars for 

 winter use, so as to be very excellent and please the most fastidious tastes, 

 if one knows just how to do it. 



For those who want a greater variety and will give them proper care, we 

 would recommend for a list of twenty-five vines the following : Two each of 

 Brighton, Delaware, Iona, Agawam and Salem, and fifteen Concord. 



Select well-rooted two-year plants, and dry warm soil of moderate fertility, 

 but if compact, work in coal and wood ashes, old bones, and rakings from the 



