"92 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



in grapos ; have mostly the Concord, Warden, Moore's Early and Pock- 

 liugton. Have 12 other varieties; but I find of what varieties I have 

 that the three former are the best grapes for main crop, with the excep- 

 tion of one that I have. It is a grape that has been with our parents 

 and grand-parents for some 40 or 50 years, and it is one of the best 

 and also hardiest grapes that I have seen; it has no name that I know 

 of, and has been so far rot-proof with me since I have had it fruiting in 

 this State. As to planting and treatment, I have my grapes planted 

 eight by eight feet, and find that I have them rather closely planted* 

 Have not sprayed them yet so far, but have been sacking them, and 

 have had good success with it so far. 



I have experimented with several different fertilizers, and find un- 

 leached ashes a very good fertilizer for grapes, and have also used 

 bone meal with good results, and I have found lime one of the very 

 best of fertilizers for grapes, and in fact for any fruit you may wish to 

 use it on. I burn my own lime; have experimented in burning the 

 lime till I have good success in burning it. A man can burn it for 

 from seven to eight cents per bushel. I build a stack with wood and 

 lime-stone till I have it the size I wish to have it, and then I cover it 

 with ground about one foot thick, but a small place at the bottom to 

 set the stack on fire, and leave a small opening in the top for draft till 

 I have it well started with fire, and then I close up entirely, and keep 

 closed to keep the heat in. I expect to burn this winter enough to 

 lime all my fruit land, or all that I have set to fruit. I claim that lime 

 is a great benefit to all fruits, and especially the grape does very fine 

 with lime as a feeder. 



Well, this is my first attempt in writing for our State Society, 

 and have not had much experience yet in the fruit line, and have quite 

 often expected to meet with you, but could not. I came to this State, 

 and made quite a large debt when I bought, but have had good luck, 

 and expect after this year I can attend the meetings. So please ex- 

 ■cuse me for the small effort I have made. 



AN INVITATION. 



Farmington, Mo,, May 26, 1894. 

 To the State Horticultural Society : 



We, the St. Francois County Horticultural Society, gite you a cor- 

 dial invitation to hold your next annual meeting with us in Farmington, 

 in December, and that this County Society will do all in its power to 



make it pleasant while here with us. 



W. F. Hoy, Secretary, 



St. Francois County Horticultural Society. 



